Browse Intellectual Property Basics Articles

Taking Your Trademark Overseas

With the Internet and globalization making the world smaller, businesses are increasingly expanding overseas—and that means they need to protect their trademarks outside the U.S. Doing business in other countries? See how you can get trademark protection. more...

Renee Hykel, Esq. - Mar 2012 - Trademarks
Appropriating Copyrighted Works: When Is It Legal?

Painter Darby Bannard once said that “Originality is way overrated. To make, you need to take. All great artists do.” Franklin P. Jones states that “Originality is the art of concealing your source.” And no less than Ernest Hemingway echoed this when he wrote that all modern literature comes from Huckleberry Finn.  So how much new art is truly original, and when does it matter? more...

Michelle Fabio, Esq. - Nov 2011 - Copyrights
Brilliant Idea? How to Protect It

In the 1950's, Bette Nesmith Graham, mother of the Monkees' Michael Nesmith, came up with an ingenious new product that covered up mistakes she made on a typewriter. Her homegrown corrective fluid eventually became known as Liquid Paper, and was sold to Gillette for more than $45 million in 1979.

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Bilal Kaiser - Sep 2011 - Intellectual Property Basics
Protecting Your Digital Assets in the Afterlife

We’re more connected to the digital world than ever before. Businesses are using the Web to go global and people are using websites such as Facebook, Twitter or their blogs to communicate. The result is the ever-growing mass of digital assets—which is often left in cyberspace after you die. more...

C.Yoder - Aug 2011 - Last Wills
Social Media's New Intellectual Property Challenges

Sharing your photos online can be problematic—especially if you are hoping to retain your rights to credit and royalties. Photographer Daniel Morel learned this the hard way when his dramatic photos of the Haitian earthquake went viral—credited to someone else. more...

B. Kaiser - Jul 2011 - Intellectual Property Basics
Estate Plans and Intellectual Property: What to Consider

When creating an estate plan, you want to be sure to take all your property into consideration—including your intellectual property. Passing a trademark, copyright or patent though a will or living trust can ensure the benefits of your hard work go to the people you choose. While many intellectual property owners may not realize they can pass on their property rights through an estate plan, whether you know it or not, your intellectual property could end up being much more valuable than you think. more...

LegalZoom Staff - May 2011 - Last Wills
Royalties for Cover Songs

Performing cover songs can be a lucrative gig—especially if you’re good. But if you haven’t paid royalties or secured the rights to perform them, you could be in trouble. Find out the basics for performing cover songs live or selling them—including who you go to for permission, who is responsible for paying royalties, and what rights you need to have in place before you can sell a music CD. more...

Bilal Kaiser - May 2011 - Intellectual Property Basics
How to Talk About Your Nonpatented Invention Without Having Your Idea Stolen

When you have a great idea that you’re thinking about patenting, it’s almost counter-intuitive to clam up and not share it with anyone. After all, you want whatever you’ve created to go viral and get as much interest as possible…right? Not necessarily. Until you’ve filed your application with the US Patent & Trademark Office, you want to be extra careful about who you talk to and how you share your ideas. more...

Bilal Kaiser - Apr 2011 - Patents
How To Sell Your Patent

Finding a way profit from your patent can be tricky if you’re not sure how to do it. But with a little business savvy and a touch of marketing sense, you can find the companies that are looking for innovation. If you’re ready to license or sell your patent, these tips and links can help you get started. more...

Lisa C. Johnson, Esq. - Dec 2010 - Patents
Trademark Symbols and Their Usage

Whether you realize it or not, trademarks are everywhere. Trademarks are a company’s first line of defense when it comes to protecting themselves and their property. Find out more about trademarks, what can be protected by a trademark, the difference between trademark and service mark, when a state trademark is enough, and when you can start using a registration (®) mark. more...

Stephanie Morrow - Dec 2010 - Trademarks