There will probably be several different audiences that will read this book. The fi rst is the intellectual property novice who, like me 40 years ago, did not know what intellectual property actually meant. It is this audience that I hope to reach. Then the second group of people are the new employees entering the chemical technology workforce, either in academia or in industry, where protecting intellectual property will be relevant to their jobs. This book, I hope, will be helpful in discussing intellectual property — including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets — with the appropriate attorney who will assist you in your endeavors. The next - to - last group of readers will be members of the general public who would like to better understand some of the intellectual property cornerstones that drive innovation and are available to protect individuals and corporations from worldwide competition. The last group of readers are the individuals who will be taking the initiative to write their own chemical patent applications, obtain advice from a patent attorney, and together fi le that patent application. To all these readers this book is to be viewed as a practical guide. Many of the chapters are short and to the point.