Trade secrets;
Inventions, utility models and designs;
Layout design of integrated circuits;
Geographical indications.
The object of intellectual property is the theoretical basis of intellectual property theory, and there has always been controversy about the object of intellectual property in academic circles. The theory of information represented by professors, the theory of knowledge products represented by Professor Wu, the theory of behavior represented by Professor Liu Chuntian and the traditional theory of intellectual achievements represented by General Principles of Civil Law all explain the object of intellectual property from a certain aspect. Recently, Dr. Li Yang proposed the object from the perspective of copyright.
The object of intellectual property belongs to the broad category of philosophical object, but it is not the object of intellectual property, but the object in the philosophical sense. The scope of intellectual property object is much smaller than that of philosophical object. Although it has the basic attributes of a general object in philosophy, it is outside the subject, independent of the subject's will, objective and can be perceived by the subject, but it has its own particularity, which can directly meet the needs of the subject and belongs to the wealth category that the subject needs. Generally speaking, the objects of intellectual property are the property (information property) that the subject must be regulated by law based on these objects (labor achievements). If it is stipulated by law, it may become the exclusive property of the subject. If there is no law, it may become the property enjoyed by human beings.
Since the information society has (or will) regard information property as the main property higher than tangible property such as land and machinery, the laws of this society cannot but protect it accordingly. Intangible property, as the object of intellectual property, is an important part of information property that Zheng refers to. Based on the different characteristics of these different types of property, the law stipulates copyright, patent right and trademark right to protect them respectively. These properties are not only information property, but also intangible property. Patent right and trademark right have only one object-intangible property.