Patent, Copyright & Trademark

Do You Need a Lawyer to File a Patent Application With the USPTO?

Whether you want to hire a lawyer depends on several factors, including the complexity of the invention, the possibility that your patent will be challenged, and the time that you have to commit to the sometimes-complex registration process.

Types of Patents Available Under U.S. Law

Have you invented or designed something new?

Getting a Patent on Your Own

To obtain a patent, you must ensure that your invention qualifies for a patent and then be able to describe it in your application.

How to Protect Your Invention From Theft When Pitching It

How do you preserve your trade secrets when shopping your invention?

Copyright

A bundle of exclusive rights granted to the author of a creative work such as book, movie, song, painting, photograph, design, computer software, or architecture.

Fair Use

A copyright principle that excuses unauthorized uses of a work when used for a transformative purpose such as research, scholarship, parody, criticism, or journalism

Digital Millennium Copyright Act

A federal statute that addresses a number of copyright issues created by the use of new technology and the Internet including digital rights management (methods for stopping infringement), and certain rights and privileges (safe harbors) that protect Internet Service Providers.

Cease and Desist Letter

A letter from an intellectual property owner that requests that alleged illegal activity, such as copyright infringement, be stopped immediately.

Should I Copyright My Writing or Artwork?

Copyright protection can be useful for artists, writers, and other creators.

Trademark Infringement: Do You Need an Attorney?

You have encountered another business that is using a name that is identical or very similar to yours, and you may be losing customers and profits as a result. Is this trademark infringement?

Fair Use Defense: When Can You Use Another Owner's Trademark Without Permission?

A trademark is any word, photograph, or symbol that is used to identify specific products or services.

What Good Is an Unregistered Trademark?

An unregistered trademark is a trademark that has not been registered with a government agency.

Filing a Federal Trademark Application FAQ

Applying for a federal trademark has many complications. What are some of the basics of the process?

Trade Secret Basics FAQ

Trade secrets are an important form of intellectual property that can protect your business's confidential information.

Using Nondisclosure Agreements to Protect Business Trade Secrets

Nondisclosure agreements are one of the most effective methods for companies to protect valuable confidential information that they want to keep under wraps.

Will a Noncompete Agreement Stop Employees From Taking Your Trade Secrets?

To avoid losing valuable employees (and trade secrets) to competitors, many employers require employees to sign noncompetition agreements.

Which Protection Do I Need: Patent, Copyright, or Trademark?

Learn how patents, copyrights, and trademarks serve different purposes.