Industrial property can usefully be divided into two main areas, namely, one that can be characterized as the protection of distinctive signs, in particular trademarks which distinguish the goods and services of one undertaking from those of other undertakings, and geographical indications which identify a good as originating in a place where a given characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.

The protection of such distinctive signs aims to stimulate and ensure fair competition and to protect consumers, by enabling them to make informed choices between various goods and services. The protection may last indefinitely, provided the sign in question continues to be distinctive.

Other types of industrial property are protected primarily to stimulate innovation, design and the creation of technology. In this category fall inventions protected by patents, industrial designs and trade secrets.

The social purpose of industrial property is to provide protection for the results of investment in the development of new technology, thus giving the incentive and means to finance research and development activities.

While the basic social objectives of intellectual property protection are as outlined above, it should also be noted that the exclusive rights given are generally subject to a number of limitations and exceptions, aimed at fine-tuning the balance that has to be found between the legitimate interests of right holders and of users.

Internet: <http://wto.org> (adapted).

Based on the text above, judge the following item.

If industrial property laws did not exist, it is likely that there would be less interest in and money for research and development of new technology.