IP Basics

Intellectual Property Resources

How many types of patents are there? What can be patented? How do I protect my logo?  How long does copyright protection last? These are just a few of the most common questions people seek answers.

How many types of patent applications are there?

There are four types:

02.  Utility

03.  Plant

04.  Design

What is the difference between a Provisional and Non-Provisional Patent Application?
How long does patent protection last?
What are the USPTO filing fees?
How many types of patent applications are there?

There are four types:

02.  Utility

03.  Plant

04.  Design

What is the difference between a Provisional and Non-Provisional Patent Application?
How long does patent protection last?
What are the USPTO filing fees?

Protect Your Brand Identity

How do I file a trademark or servicemark?

There are four bases for filing a trademark application: use-in-commerce or intent-to-use, based on foreign application and based on foreign registration.

Can I file a trademark application before my product image is actually used in commerce?

Copyrights vs Copylefts

Copyright protection comes into existence when a work is fixed in a tangible medium. Thus, copyright registration is not necessary to acquire rights in a work, but affords a number of benefits, including establishing a public record of the copyright holder's ownership, enabling copyright holders to sue infringers, allowing for statutory damages so that actual damages do not need to be proven, and enabling the copyright holder to prevent importation of infringing copies from other countries using US customs.  

 

Copyleft is a colloquial term used to describe a free public license for use of an original creation.  

 

Term of Copyrights  For works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first. For works first published prior to 1978, the term is different depending upon a variety of factors.