Intellectual property services aim to safeguard the rights of IP owners. Building a robust IP portfolio is a crucial strategy for obtaining valuable protection for your intellectual property.
The Significance of Intellectual Property Services
An increasing number of businesses are recognizing the value of their intellectual property as assets. Intellectual property can help companies achieve revenue goals and pave the way for future services and products.
It is imperative to maintain and protect your IP portfolio. Some entities, which don’t sell physical products but resort to litigation for generating profits, exploit weaknesses in a company’s IP rights. Engaging professional tools and services can assist you in combating this threat effectively.
Staying ahead of the curve is essential to avoid expensive legal battles and situations that can potentially halt your business operations at the behest of a competitor. If your IP rights are invalidated due to litigation, you might end up without any products or services to offer.
Other companies may attempt to undermine and expropriate your valuable IP rights. They might even try to infringe on your rights, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
There are several non-litigation methods available to handle accidental infringement, whether you are the infringing party or the one being infringed upon. These methods are generally preferable to legal action and can include purchasing or licensing patents, as well as creating patent pools or cross-license agreements.
The legal system regarding intellectual property was designed to encourage innovation. Through the rights you hold, you can profit from your ingenuity. As these rights eventually pass on to the public, companies can collaborate to provide new innovations, services, and products. To establish partnerships with other companies, it is crucial to ensure the utmost security and protection of your IP portfolio. Obtaining a license for questionable IP that is easily challenged serves little purpose.
Even if the patent itself is strong, the absence of a robust management structure attracts legal challengers who employ a myriad of tactics to invalidate it. The same holds true for IP rights. Unless adequately protected, companies may be reluctant to enter into patent or license agreements with you.
Different Categories of Intellectual Property
There are various types of intellectual property, including the following:
Copyright
Copyright protects tangible creative works, such as:
- Movies
- Books
- Games
- Music
- Artwork
- Other creative products
You encounter copyrighted products every day. All forms of original creativity and thought enjoy copyright protection. Creators don’t need to register their copyright with an official government agency. Even without registration, creators retain full rights to their copyright.
Trademark
Trademarks, registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, safeguard a mark that distinguishes the source of services and goods. Trademarks encompass a wide range of examples, as they can be anything that sets one company apart from its competitors. The following can be trademarked:
- Slogan
- Logo
- Color
- Sound
Copyrights and trademarks may overlap. For instance, a logo can be copyrighted as an artistic creation while also being registered as a trademark. Trademarks, unlike copyrights, can protect designs, words, and other elements that cannot be copyrighted. Similar to copyrights, trademarks can be protected under the Lanham Act and common law, even without registration.
Patent
Patents protect inventions and functional designs for products. Inventors must disclose their invention or design publicly to obtain a patent. In return, inventors gain exclusive rights to the patented product for a specified period. Design patents provide 14 years of protection, while utility and plant patents last for 20 years.
After dedicating considerable effort and hard work to creating something unique, it is essential to take steps to safeguard your creation. While registration with an agency is not required for certain types of intellectual property, such as trademarks and copyrights, it is advisable to check for any potential infringements before using, selling, or distributing your product. Infringing on someone else’s trademark, copyright, or patent can lead to severe consequences.
If you require assistance with intellectual property services, you can explore Garrity Traina’s marketplace by clicking here. Garrity Traina only accepts the most accomplished lawyers, with a selection composed of the top 5 percent. Lawyers on Garrity Traina’s platform hail from prestigious law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law, boasting an average of 14 years of legal experience, including work with industry giants like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.
