The significance of intellectual property can be traced to the
ancient use of stamps on bricks by Roman brick-makers for the
purpose of identification, and even before that when the leaders of
the ancient Greek city of Sybaris granted monopoly for one year on
cooking a delicious dish to its creator. Obviously, much has
changed since then with the advancement of science and technology
and global business.
Intellectual property is a product of human intellect and the
rights granted on it allow its owner to benefit from the fruits of
this intellectual endeavour by creating a monopoly over it. Such
benefit is not always a natural right but requires recognition by a
statute.
In India, intellectual property rights recognised under statute
are:
