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Copyright, Patent, And Trademark
You should know legal information about the intellectual property of a business. This page offers basic guidelines on lawyer information, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, filing procedures, eligibility, process, cost, and more.
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World Intellectual Property Organization |
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Individuals and businesses interested in marketing abroad should visit the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the branch of the United Nations that helps to establish intellectual property rights across borders. |
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Federal vs. State Intellectual Property |
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Federal intellectual property registration entitles the owner to use trademarks, patents, and copyright throughout the United States and provides some protection internationally as well. State governments also allow for the registration of intellectual property, although the protection provided is comparatively limited. Furthermore, most state governments will only register trademarks and will not allow the registration of copyrights or patents. |
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Trade Secrets |
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A trade secret is any piece of information used by a business that isn't known to the general public, including formulas, business plans, designs, and procedures. State and federal laws protect trade secrets when other areas of intellectual property law don't offer adequate protection. |
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Legal Encyclopedia |
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An encyclopedia of "plain english" articles on all sorts of law, including patent and trade secrets, and trademarks and copyrights. Provided by nolo.com. |
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Copyright Filing Procedures |
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The U.S. Copyright Office is the authority concerning copyright law and filing procedures. The Office maintains a comprehensive, interactive Web site. |
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Copyright Expiration |
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The duration of copyright protection depends not only on when a work is created but also when it is published. Created by a professor at the Franklin Pierce Law Center, the Copyright Expiration Table illustrates the dates that copyrights will expire and associated works will pass into the public domain. |
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Understanding Copyright Law |
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Need an answer that can't be found on the U.S. Copyright Office Web site? Copyright information in plain English can be found at Nolo.com. |
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U.S. Copyright Office FAQs |
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The Copyright Office offers introductory answers to frequently asked questions about copyright, registration, and services of the Office. Links throughout the answers will guide you to further information on our website or from other sources. |
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U.S. Patent And Trademark Office |
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The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is the primary source of patent and trademark registration protection used by U.S. and international businesses. |
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Provisional Application |
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Provisional applications are like temporary placeholders; they allow inventors to file inexpensively without a formal patent claim, oath, or declaration. Once the application is filed, the applicant has one year to investigate the feasibility, marketability, patentability, and potential licensee interest of the invention before deciding to file a formal patent application. Meanwhile, the term patent pending can be applied to the invention, and the inventor enjoys a calendar edge on other inventors who may file for the same invention. |
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How To Get A Patent |
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Steps on how to file a patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. |
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Cost |
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The price of applying for a patent depends on a number of factors, and can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. In addition, the cost of keeping an approved patent valid for its full term requires several thousand dollars in government fees alone. A 50% discount applies to small entities in certain conditions. Prices are subject to review each year, so visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or seek a lawyer for current information. |
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