Parsing the definition of Intellectual Property

Yes, I’m going to the mat.

Making understandable the distinction between products and intellectual property is the hill I will die on.

Products and IP are not the same thing. IP does not equal passive income. You can have IP without products. You can use IP without owning it.

A formal but tremendously illustrative definition:

Whew.

Maybe, if you read very carefully, you will find “products” under the intellectual property definition.

Perhaps, if you re-read the definition, you will find intellectual property that is typically offered “for sale”.

Probably, you can find some intellectual property which can be turned into a passive income source.

Surely, you will find a multitude of intellectual property that will never be shared with, seen by or sold to a third party.

It could be that the most valuable IP in your business is a course or a book or your podcast. But, more likely, it is how you do what you do—how you provide superior results for your clients. The systems you’ve developed to ensure consistent quality performance; the culture you’ve created with your team; your secret sauce.

When I say “IP is everywhere,” I mean “IP is EVERYWHERE!”.

I anxiously await your follow-up questions. I know my work here is not done.