Many significant events that have occurred in the evolution of intellectual property since the late 1600s. Intellectual property law has been amended and changed as technology has changed.

1662 - English Licensing Act of 1662

1709 - Basic copyright law established by the Statute of Anne

1787 - Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the United State Consitution gives authors and inventors "exclusive" rights to their product

1806 - First Germany copyright law established; French design law established

1836 - United States patent office established

1857 - Trademark law established in France

1870 - United States issues first Trademark

1878 - International Trademark Association originated

1883 - Paris Convention establishes the protection of Industrial property

1886 - Berne Convention (protection of Literary and Artistic Works)

1891 - International Copyright law established giving European authors the opportunity to receive profit for sales in America

1909 - United States copyright law prohibits "unauthorized" mechanical reproductions of musical compositions

1967 - United Nations establishes the World Intellectual Property Organization

1990 - Congress amends the copyright act to prohibit commercial lending of computer software

1994 - Conference on Fair Use meets sponsored by the Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights

1995 - (TRIPS) Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property goes into effect

2000 - Patent Law Treaty