There are four basic types of IP:   (a) trademarks and service marks, (b) copyrights, (c) patents, and (d) trade secrets.  Additionally, restrictive covenants, such as non-compete, non-solicitation, and non-circumvention agreements are contracts which protect otherwise non-protectable intellectual property assets.  Intellectual property law can be further broken down into three subgroups: (a) registration of intellectual property assets; (b) litigation concerning intellectual property assets; and (c) commercialization of the intellectual property assets through license agreements or assignments.  For further legal information specific to your areas of interest, please view our IP BASICS page.