Under intellectual property law, owners are granted certain exclusive rights to a variety of intangible assets, such as musical, literary, and artistic works; discoveries and inventions; and words, phrases, symbols, and designs. Common types of intellectual property include copyrights, trademarks, patents, industrial design rights and trade secrets. Intellectual property law involves advising and assisting individuals and businesses on the development, use, and protection of intellectual property -- which includes ideas, artistic creations, engineering processes, scientific inventions, and more.
Sigourney (pronounced "SIGG-ur-nee") is a city in Keokuk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,209 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Keokuk County. The Sigourney Community School district encompasses nearly a 70-square-mile (180 km) radius, drawing students from smaller surrounding communities. Approximately 700 students are enrolled yearly, with an average of 350 attending elementary (K-6) and 350 students attending junior/senior high (7-12). The average graduating class is 50 students with 80% moving on to college. The school system's mascot is the Sigourney Savage. Sigourney is represented by Rep. Leonard Boswell in the United States House of Representatives. Keokuk County was opened for white settlement in 1843, and the town got its start in 1844 when S.A. James built the first cabin there. Other families began to settle there as well, and in 1844, the town was named by county commissioner Dr. George H. Stone in honor of popular poet Lydia Sigourney. A large oil-painted portrait of Lydia still graces the foyer of the county courthouse.