Intellectual Property

Protect your work from copycats. Learn the difference between trademarks, copyrights, and patents so you can safeguard your intellectual property.

Legal requirements for registering your trademark
There are four basic requirements for filing a trademark (or service mark) with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
May 18, 2023 · 11 min read
Does your employer own intellectual property you create?
Employers typically own intellectual property developed by their employees, but there is room for negotiation.
April 18, 2023 · 3 min read
Understanding EULAs
An end-user license agreement (EULA) is a mechanism for a user to agree that the use of another's app, product, or concept does not transfer any ownership interest to the user.
April 11, 2023 · 3 min read
Trade name vs. business name: What's the difference?
A business can have both a legal or registered name as well as a trade name—but these have important differences and registration requirements that exist for the protection of you and your customers.
April 10, 2023 · 5 min read
What is a mechanical license?
If you've recorded someone else's song, you'll need to secure a mechanical license for that song before you release it into the world.
April 10, 2023 · 3 min read
How to copyright music
You own your music the minute you record it or write it down, but you need to copyright the song to best protect it.
April 7, 2023 · 2 min read
How the COVID-19 vaccines could affect intellectual property rights
The development of the COVID-19 vaccine didn't necessarily alter the landscape of intellectual property rights, but it may have fostered a new spirit of innovation and cooperation.
April 6, 2023 · 2 min read
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.
March 28, 2023 · 3 min read
Should you trademark your name?
In the always evolving electronic age, many famous celebrities are using trademark law to protect the use of their name over the Internet. Should you?
March 28, 2023 · 4 min read
What is Creative Commons? 5 frequently asked questions
Get answers to your Creative Commons questions here.
March 27, 2023 · 4 min read