Intellectual property and research
Intellectual property protects the interests of creators by granting them rights over their works. It is made up of two main components: literary and artistic property, and industrial property.
Literary and artistic property protects artistic creations such as literary, musical, graphic and plastic works, as well as software and databases. Copyright applies to software, including preparatory design material: provided it is original, obtaining this right requires no formal registration. However, software is often registered with theAgence pour la protection des programmes. Specific texts concern the rights of database producers.
The purpose of industrial property is to protect and promote inventions, innovations and industrial or commercial creations. It includes patents, trademarks, industrial designs and geographical indications. Applications for these titles must be filed with the Institut national de la propriété industrielle (INPI).
Unlike many other legal systems, software is not in principle patentable under French law, unless it is incorporated into a technical device which is itself eligible for patent registration.