Intellectual Property
Protect your work from copycats. Learn the difference between trademarks, copyrights, and patents so you can safeguard your intellectual property.
Copyright license agreement (written work) — How to guide
1. Overview An organization’s ability to buy and sell property is essential to its long-term life and vitality. Although it does not take up…
How to avoid copyright infringement
Here's how to avoid accidentally stepping on the rights of another's creative work.
The problem of genericide in trademarks
Sometimes a company's branding can become so pervasive in our culture it goes beyond the traditional confines of its trademark. What seems like a…
Permission to reproduce images — How to guide
1. Overview Research and writing, whether business or academic, legal or commercial, does not exist in a vacuum. Books and essays often incorporate…
Creating a patent license agreement
If you're a patent owner who's ready to create a patent license agreement, here's what you need to know before you get started—both about the…
Beware the patent troll
Patent trolls make money by buying and attempting to enforce patents, but there are ways to protect yourself.
How to buy expired patents
A patent gives an inventor a limited time of exclusive ownership. If the patent expires, it's possible for someone else to buy it. Find out how to…
What a business method patent is
A business method patent allows an inventor to protect their new idea for a way of doing business that involves a specific use of technology. Find…
Registering a trademark
Getting trademark protection for your business name, logo or slogans is an important way to protect your work. Find out how to get started with this…
How to copyright a book
You can register a copyright for your book by submitting your registration electronically, or by mailing in a print application.