Services
04. Other Intellectual Property
Design Patents
The most common type of patent is known as a Utility Patent. There are other kinds of patents, including design patents and plant patents. If the novel aspect of your invention relates to its ornamental features and not its function, then you may need a design patent, instead of a Utility patent, or you may need both.
Copyrights
Depending on the nature of your idea, you may also need copyright protection. Copyright protects the expression of an idea rather than the idea itself. If your invention relates to software, the software code may be copyrightable. Or, perhaps you have created written materials relating to your invention, which may also be copyrightable. Or you may have a other forms of artwork, which is copyrightable. We can advise you on whether you need to file for copyright registrations, file the registrations for you, and advise you on copyright notices to place on your products.
Trademarks
Do you have a unique name for your invention or product? If so, it may be advisable to file for a U.S. trademark registration to protect your name from being used by others. With a U.S. trademark registration you may put the familiar "®" symbol on your product. We have successfully filed and secured hundreds of trademark registrations for our clients.
Trade Secrets
Are there aspects of your invention that can be kept secret even after it is commercialized? If so you may have trade secrets that need protection. Examples include the recipe for Coca Cola and certain manufacturing processes. Laws are already in place to protect your trade secrets from theft, so you do not need to to register them with a government agency, like patents and trademarks . However, it is important for you to take documented steps to keep trade secrets secret and to keep an inventory of them. We can advise you on any issues involving trade secrets.
