It can take years of research and development to create a new product or improve on existing manufacturing processes. Companies that invest in research and development or that purchase concepts from outside parties often need to take action to formally protect their...
Your Concierge Law Firm
Intellectual Property
Another company stole your logo. What next?
Protecting your brand identity is paramount in the fiercely competitive landscape of modern business. Your logo is more than just a graphic; it's a symbol of your company's values, reputation and trustworthiness. So, what happens when another company steals your logo?...
What is the benefit of filing a provisional patent application?
Filing a provisional patent application is a strategic step many inventors take in the patenting process. While this opportunity is not available to those who are filing for design patent protection, it is available for aspiring utility and plant patent holders. The...
What constitutes trademark infringement?
Understanding the nuances of trademark infringement is crucial for businesses and individuals alike in the vast landscape of intellectual property law. Trademarks serve as identifiers, distinguishing the origin of goods and services. Infringement occurs when these...
Non-disclosure agreements aren’t just for employee contracts
Business contracts generally focus on obligations between parties. For example, a vendor contract will likely outline how much one business will pay another for certain raw materials or goods. It will also establish a delivery timeline and other specific terms for the...
Should you consider intellectual property-backed business loans?
Say you need business capital to help you reach new markets and customers. You are relatively cash-poor but are rich in various forms of intellectual property (IP), like patents and trade secrets. Can you borrow money using your business IP as collateral? In the 21st...
What is “fair use” in copyright law?
You may have seen a sticker of a famous icon on the back of a car or listened to a new song that sounds eerily similar to something much older. This happens a lot and many people wonder if this would be considered copyright infringement. Artists have the right to...
The distinction between patent and trademark infringement
In the world of intellectual property rights, it's crucial to understand the differences between patent and trademark infringement. Both patents and trademarks can provide legal protection for valuable assets, but they serve distinct purposes and cover different...
2 parties that have an interest in a company’s trade secrets
Trade secrets are often among the most valuable intellectual property held by a business. An organization's trade secrets could include proprietary recipes or manufacturing processes, contractor rosters and any other non-public information that gives the business some...
What is FRAND licensing?
Fair, Reasonable, And Non-Discriminatory licensing, or FRAND licensing, refers to a voluntary agreement between a patent holder and a manufacturer that allows the manufacturer to use the patent holder's technology, typically about standards-essential patents. SEPs are...