Final answer:
In code-law countries, intellectual property ownership is determined by registration, with international efforts underway to harmonize these laws across countries.
Step-by-step explanation:
In code-law countries, the ownership of intellectual property is primarily determined by registration. This formal process grants the innovator exclusive legal rights to their creation, whether it's a patent, trademark, copyright, or trade secret. Laws protect these rights for a specific period, conveying ownership over an idea, concept, or image, not a physical object. Although provisions vary between countries, international efforts, like those by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), seek to harmonize the respect and enforcement of intellectual property rights across national borders.