What is Intellectual Property Law?
Intellectual property (IP) law covers laws wherein the government protects and secures a person’s exclusive rights to their intellectual property, creations, and inventions. Intellectual property law comes into play in a variety of pursuits, including useful inventions, product designs, technology transfers, biotechnology, trade dress, computer software, or artistic works. If the inventor or creator devises an original work, IP rights may be established to prevent piracy, misappropriation, or counterfeiting their works.
The different types of intellectual property are copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets.
- Copyright Law – protects the legal rights of the creators of original works of authorship, which may include works of visual art, literature, film, music, and more.
- Trademark Law – protects the name, phrase, logo, design or symbol that serves as a unique source identifier of goods or services. Well-known examples of trademarked logos include the Nike swoosh, the Adidas stripes, or Louis Vuitton’s stylized LV symbol. Trademark protection allows the owners to prevent others from using similar marks that may confuse consumers about the source.
- Trade secret Law– protects formulas, methods, practices, and procedures used to manufacture a product that are an advantage that only the owner has exclusive rights to. A trade secret is designed to be unknown to outside parties. Trade secrets are protected by IP laws, though necessary steps such as non-disclosure agreements must be taken to maintain confidentiality.
- Patent Law – bestows protection for useful inventions. In order to file a patent application—and avoid potential infringement–you need to make sure that your idea hasn’t been patented yet. Working with a patent attorney will make the patent application process much simpler. Making a mistake may cost you a lot later on. Moreover, patent holders can protect their ideas by preventing competitors from producing, using, or distributing their protected items.
How can we help you?
We at War IP Law are experienced and well versed in all areas of intellectual property law, and are prepared to counsel, protect and enforce your intellectual property rights. We will assist you in managing your intellectual property from beginning to end, including starting the patent application process, protecting your trademarks and copyrights, licensing intellectual property rights, and preventing infringement.
Asserting your rights as a patent holder can be a smooth process with the help of a lawyer who understands the your patent and its validity in order to prevent infringement.
If you are interested in knowing more about IP law and your intellectual property rights, call us now for a free consultation with one of the best IP lawyers in Washington, and we will make sure to answer all your questions and inquiries.
