Frequently Asked Questions

For an overview of the various types of intellectual property, please download our primer.

Intellectual Property

WHAT IS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY?

Trademarks, Trade Secret, Unfair Competition

WHAT IS A TRADEMARK?
A TRADEMARK MUST IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF A PRODUCT OR SERVICE.
WHO OWNS A TRADEMARK?
HOW TO USE TRADEMARK AND NOTICE
HOW LONG DOES A TRADEMARK LAST?
ADOPTING PROCEDURE FOR REGISTERING A TRADEMARK
VIOLATION OF TRADEMARK RIGHTS – LIKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION AND DILUTION
WHAT IS A TRADE SECRET?
WHAT CAN BE A TRADE SECRET?
HOW LONG DOES A TRADE SECRET LAST?
IDENTIFYING AND PROTECTING OF TRADE SECRETS.
VIOLATION OF TRADE SECRET RIGHTS - UNFAIR OBTAINING
UNFAIR COMPETITION

Copyright

WHAT IS COPYRIGHT?
WHAT CAN BE A COPYRIGHTED WORK?
HOW LONG DOES A COPYRIGHT LAST?
HOW TO USE COPYRIGHT AND NOTICE
PROCEDURE FOR REGISTERING A COPYRIGHT

Patents

WHAT IS A PATENT?
WHAT CAN BE PATENTED?
HOW LONG DOES A PATENT LAST?
WHO OWNS A PATENT?
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR FILING A PATENT APPLICATION?
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A PATENT WHEN COMPARED TO PRIOR TECHNOLOGY?
WHAT IS A PATENT SEARCH AND DO I HAVE TO CONDUCT A PATENT SEARCH BEFORE FILING AN APPLICATION?
WHAT IS A PATENT APPLICATION AND HOW IS IT PREPARED?
WHAT HAPPENS WITH A PATENT APPLICATION AFTER IT IS FILED?
WHEN CAN “PATENT PENDING,” “PATENTED” AND OTHER PATENT NOTICES BE USED?
DOES A PATENT APPLY TO COUNTRIES OTHER THAN THE UNITED STATES?