Intellectual Property
Protect your work from copycats. Learn the difference between trademarks, copyrights, and patents so you can safeguard your intellectual property.
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Joint Ownership of Patents: A to Z
An invention's patent is considered personal property. Under patent law, each co-inventor named on a patent application owns that property. In the absence of any agreement, each co-inventor owns 100 percent of the patent, regardless of how much each individual contributed to the invention. Patent law gives co-owners of a patent the right to make, use, license, sell and import the patented invention within the U.S. in whatever way they please, without the consent of the other co-owners.
· 3 min read
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What Is Creative Commons? 5 Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to your Creative Commons questions here.
· 4 min read
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Disabled Inventors: Necessity Is the Mother of Invention
Inventors are known to tackle problems they encounter in their everyday lives. For disabled inventors solving these problems can have a life-changing impact, not just for themselves, but others who can benefit from their ingenuity.
· 2 min read
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Can Fashion Designs Be Copyrighted?
Recording artist Gwen Stefani recently filed an infringement suit against Forever 21, alleging that the 'fast-fashion' retailer improperly used the heart and heart/box trademarks from her upscale Harajuku line on its own merchandise in a 'virtually indistinguishable' way.
· 3 min read
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Top 5 Accidental Inventions & Discoveries
From a vengeful chef who created a classic treat to a scientist whose moldy Petri dishes became a life-saving medication, some of today's best-known inventions were the result of accidental discoveries.
· 3 min read
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Christmas Carols & IP Rights
This holiday season, many of us download and play Christmas carols to our heart's content without any thought to copyright ownership. By downloading and playing these songs, are we infringing on the author's copyright protection? Check out this primer on intellectual property rights, including what's protected, how long it's protected for.
· 4 min read
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Honoring George Washington Carver
George Washington Carver rose from slavery to become one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century.
· 4 min read
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Blogging and Intellectual Property Law
Following these guidelines can help you stay on the right side of the law and understand your own rights.
· 6 min read
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Does Your U.S. Patent, Trademark, or Copyright Protect You Overseas?
Your intellectual property is protected here at home—but what about abroad?
· 3 min read
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Superhero Intellectual Property Disputes
Many of our best-loved superheroes have been the subjects of intellectual property disputes. It takes authors, comic book publishers, and movie studios to build iconic superhero franchises, but who gets the credit—and the cash—for bringing our heroes to life?
· 2 min read
