The following types of Intellectual Property exist in Israel:

  1. Patents
    • Purpose: Protects new inventions (products, processes, machines, etc.)
    • Rights Granted: Exclusive right to make, use, sell, and license the invention
    • Duration: Typically 20 years from the filing date
    • Examples: New pharmaceuticals, machinery, software algorithms
  1. Trademarks
    • Purpose: Protects brand identifiers like names, logos, slogans, and symbols
    • Rights Granted: Exclusive right to use the mark in commerce to identify goods/services
    • Duration: Indefinite, with renewals (e.g., every 10 years)
    • Examples: Nike swoosh, Coca-Cola logo, McDonald’s “I’m Lovin’ It”
  1. Copyright
    • Purpose: Protects original works of authorship (literary, artistic, musical, etc.)
    • Rights Granted: Exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, and license the work
    • Duration: Life of the author + 70 years (varies by country)
    • Examples: Books, movies, songs, paintings, software code
  1. Trade Secrets
    • Purpose: Protects confidential business information that gives a competitive edge
    • Rights Granted: No formal registration; protection as long as secrecy is maintained
    • Duration: Indefinite, as long as it remains secret
    • Examples: Coca-Cola formula, Google’s search algorithm, KFC spice blend
  1. Plant Breeders’ Rights (PBRs) / Plant Variety Protection (PVP)
    • Purpose: Protects new plant varieties that are distinct, uniform, and stable
    • Rights Granted: Exclusive right to produce, sell, and market the plant variety
    • Duration: Usually 20–25 years depending on the country and plant type
    • Examples: New varieties of wheat, apple trees, ornamental flowers
  1. Industrial Designs (Design Rights)
    • Purpose: Protects the visual design or appearance of a product
    • Rights Granted: Exclusive right to use and commercialize the design
    • Duration: Usually 10–25 years, renewable
    • Examples: Shape of a smartphone, furniture design, product packaging
  1. Geographical Indications (GIs)
    • Purpose: Identifies products as originating from a specific place with qualities or reputation linked to that location
    • Rights Granted: Right to restrict use of the name to producers in that region
    • Duration: Indefinite, with continued use and protection
    • Examples: Champagne (France), Parmigiano-Reggiano (Italy), Darjeeling tea (India)

All of these types of IP rights exist in Israel. Most of these, including patents, trademarks, designs, and geographical indications, are registered through the Israel Patent Authority.

Trade secrets and copyrights are not registered at all in Israel.

Plant Breeders’ Rights, also known as Plant Variety Protection is registered in Israel through the Ministry of Agriculture. Dozens of registrations are granted per year to both Israeli and international companies.

Find the full series of Plant Breeder’s Rights articles here.

If you have any question about Plant Breeders’ Rights in Israel, please feel free to contact me at Avraham.hermon@jmbdavis.com.

 

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