What is a primary goal of intellectual property rights?

The primary goal of intellectual property rights is to promote creativity and innovation. These rights provide legal protections to creators and inventors, which enables them to secure the benefits of their work. By granting exclusivity over the use of their creations, such as inventions, artistic works, and trademarks, intellectual property rights encourage individuals and businesses to invest time, resources, and effort into new ideas and advancements. This legal framework helps foster an environment where creativity can flourish, leading to a diverse range of products, services, and technologies that benefit society as a whole.

In contrast, the other options do not align with the fundamental purpose of intellectual property rights. Restricting software development runs counter to encouraging innovation, as intellectual property laws are intended to support and protect software creators. While enforcing penalties can be a consequence of infringement, it is not a primary goal of the intellectual property system itself. Similarly, the aim is not to reduce research and development costs; rather, intellectual property rights can incentivize such investments by ensuring that creators can reap the rewards of their innovations.