27Feb 2023 by Pat Geddie
The Intersection of Trademarks, Copyrights, and Patents

The Intersection of Trademarks, Copyrights, and Patents

Intellectual Property
Trademarks, copyrights, and patents employ different processes for approval or registration. In general, these are protections for different types of intellectual property. There may be some times when you have a question about which one fits your intellectual property the best. While there is little overlap between the three categories, there are times when a work can be on the line of what type of protection you need. One way in which trademarks and copyrights may intersect is when you have a brand logo. On the one hand, it may be a work of art that would be protected by a copyright. On the other hand, a brand logo would represent the public’s association with your brand and be a part of your goodwill. Here, you would get broader protection…
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27Feb 2023 by Pat Geddie
How to Secure Your Intellectual Property

How to Secure Your Intellectual Property

Intellectual Property
You have worked hard and invested a lot of time and money in developing your intellectual property. The last thing that you want is for someone to make money from your effort and take away your ability to use what you worked so hard to build. There are several protections available to you under federal law: A patent protects your inventions, designs, and processes that are not obvious and useful A copyright protects your original works, such as a song or a manuscript A trademark protects your brand identity and symbols Each form of intellectual property protection involves its own process that you need to go through to secure your own rights. You would need to be granted a patent or trademark and register your copyright in order to take…
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31Jul 2022 by Pat Geddie
What Businesses Need Intellectual Property Protections?

What Businesses Need Intellectual Property Protections?

Intellectual Property
As a business owner, you have a lot to deal with. One thing on your list should be intellectual property protections, as most companies need them. If you are unsure what protections are available or need assistance seeking them, consult with an Orlando IP lawyer as soon as possible. Products or Designs Does your company sell products? If so, every invention you sell should be patented first. The same goes if your company designed new software or came up with an improvement to existing products or programs. Some companies might start with a provisional patent application, while others will start with the full patent application. In either case, you should have legal guidance through this process. Creative Works Does your company have creative works, such as writings, musical recordings, designs,…
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05Apr 2022 by Pat Geddie
How IP Can Launch Your Business

How IP Can Launch Your Business

Intellectual Property
When you think about starting a successful business, you might focus on your accounting, pricing, and how you can rake in the most money as quickly as possible. You might not consider how your company’s intellectual property can help launch your business on the path to success. Inventions, branding, and other IP are often worth more than anything else at the start of a business. This IP can be your most valuable asset, as well as grow exponentially in value as your company grows. It is essential that you protect your intellectual property and use it to your advantage as you begin your business. Branding your business Without attention-catching branding, how will potential customers notice your company? Everyone notices Nike’s swoosh and Apple’s simple yet highly recognizable logo on all…
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31Jan 2022 by Pat Geddie
IP Protections for Small Businesses

IP Protections for Small Businesses

Intellectual Property
If you are the owner of a small business or plan to start a company in 2022, you should consider your options for protecting your company’s intellectual property. The following are possible protections that might work for small businesses. Patents - If your business is built around an invention or other novel software or product, you might qualify for a patent. There are utility, design, and plant patents, and our Orlando patent lawyer can advise you which one is appropriate for you. The application process can be complicated and extensive, so you want legal help throughout this process. Trademarks - You might spend a lot of time and energy building your brand, including the company name, logos, symbols, and other designs that identify you and what you do. You do…
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14May 2019 by Pat Geddie
Intellectual Property Law FAQ

Intellectual Property Law FAQ

Intellectual Property
Intellectual property (IP) is a valuable asset for businesses or individual artists or inventors. The law provides ways to protect your IP from misappropriation or use by others without authority, and an intellectual property lawyer in Orlando can advise you of your legal options. The following are only a few frequently asked questions about IP laws. What are my options for IP protection? The types of protections available to you depend on the type of intellectual property you want to protect, as follows: Copyright = This protects original creative works, including songs, writings, photos, physical art, and more. Trademark = This protects aspects of a company’s brand, such as a name, logo, slogan, or symbol. Patent = This protects inventions, formulas, or material improvements on existing inventions or formulas. Trade…
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