What type of creations does intellectual property protect?

Intellectual property is designed to protect the rights of creators and inventors by granting them exclusive rights to their creations. This protection encompasses a wide array of intangible assets that result from intellectual effort. Specifically, it includes artworks, music, literature, inventions, designs, symbols, names, and images used in commerce.

By safeguarding these creations, intellectual property laws incentivize innovation and creativity by allowing creators to benefit economically from their work. For instance, a musician can protect their original music from unauthorized reproduction, while an inventor can secure patents for their inventions, preventing others from making, using, or selling the invention without permission.

In contrast, the other options do not fall under the purview of intellectual property protection. Government policies are established rules and regulations, physical property assets pertain to tangible items such as buildings and land, and personal relationships involve interpersonal dynamics, none of which are protected by intellectual property rights. Therefore, the focus strictly on creative works, inventions, and similar contributions confirms that artworks, music, and inventions represent the primary domain of intellectual property protection.