The attorneys at Anderson Law Group have successfully represented clients in disputes involving alleged violations and infringement of intellectual property rights. Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, including but not limited to, inventions, symbols, artistic & literary works, names, and images used in commerce. Similar to other types of property, intellectual property is generally protected from unauthorized use, subject to the owner of the intellectual property taking certain prescribed actions to protect and enforce the owner’s rights to the intellectual property. Common types of intellectual property rights include copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets.
Copyright is a form of legal protection available to protect works of authorship, such as writings, music, and works of art. As such, copyright can provide significant protection for a broad range of intellectual property. However, when an owner of a copyright fails to take certain prescribed actions to protect his or her rights, the owner may lose those rights.
Trademarks protect words, names, symbols, sounds, or colors that distinguish goods and services. In short, trademarks provide a connection between products and services and the company associated therewith, and trademarks often serve as symbols of the goodwill of a particular company. Similar to other forms of intellectual property, trademark rights must be aggressively enforced. Failure of a trademark owner to take certain prescribed actions to protect his or her rights may result in the owner losing his or her trademark rights.
Patents are generally broken down into three different categories including (1) utility patents; (2) design patents; and (3) plant patents. Utility patents protect useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, and compositions of matter. Design patents protect against the unauthorized use of new, original, and ornamental designs for articles of manufacture. Plant patents protect invented or discovered, asexually reproduced plant varieties. Generally, a patent must contain strategically written claims to maximize the strength and value of the patent in the marketplace. Similar to other forms of intellectual property, patent rights must be aggressively enforced. Failure of a patent owner to take certain prescribed actions to protect his or her rights may result in the owner losing his or her patent rights.
Trade Secrets include the information that companies keep secret to maintain an advantage over competitors, including but not limited to, a company’s methods, formulas, programs, and technologies. Similar to other forms of intellectual property, trade secret rights must be protected and enforced, and the failure to do so may result in the loss of the trade secrets.
Whether a lawsuit has been brought against you involving intellectual property issues or whether you are seeking advice as to how to protect your rights to intellectual property, it is important to retain a law firm that is familiar with intellectual property rights and litigation. The attorneys at Anderson Law Group work closely with our clients to ensure that our clients properly establish and protect their ownership interests in intellectual property and that those acquiring intellectual property rights achieve their goals. Importantly, when defending against claims alleging violations and infringement of the intellectual property rights of others, the attorneys at Anderson Law Group will fully investigate whether the other party took the necessary actions to establish and/or protect his or her intellectual property rights and will advise you as to all factual and procedural defenses available to you. Litigating lawsuits involving alleged violations and infringement of the intellectual property rights of others, or even avoiding these lawsuits altogether, requires clear communication between you and the law firm hired to represent and defend your interests. At Anderson Law Group, the interests of our clients is our highest priority, and everything we do is designed to provide cost-effective legal services to those who entrust us to do so. Anderson Law Group has built the experience and the results that our clients expect.
If you wish to speak with an attorney at Anderson Law Group regarding a lawsuit brought against you for alleged infringement of the intellectual property rights of another or if you are seeking advice regarding protecting your rights to intellectual property, please contact Anderson Law Group toll free at (877) 234-3920.