Examples of intellectual property include music, books, movies, artwork, product names, logos, slogans and packaging, inventions that qualify for patent protection and information that is kept secret and not commonly known. Over the years, a variety of laws have evolved giving intellectual works the same protections that real estate or other forms of "property". In that way, intellectual property is bought, sold, “leased”, etc. like a house or a car.

The trademark, licensing and copyright fields are not nearly as complex as the patent field, and they do not require a specialized scientific or technical background. Given the importance of intellectual property to their success, companies aggressively protect intellectual property. Patents are by far one of the most useful means for protecting intellectual property, and companies are continually investing aggressively in the prosecution of patents. The fact that there are so few patent attorneys compounds the demand for them at most points in time.
Attorneys are generally involved in protecting this type of intellectual property, and their involvement could be in one or more areas of the intellectual property field.