Intellectual Property
What is it and How Can You Protect It?
Intellectual property is something that you own (your property), which you create with your own mind—your intellect. It is an intangible ownership interest, not like tangible property, such as real estate. You have 5 distinctly different types of property rights, but they all protect your intellectual property. We’ve covered Copyright Law and Trademark Law on previous pages.
Here’s a quick overview of additional areas pertaining to Intellectual Property Law and what each right protects and links to learn more about the legal services Francine provides.
PATENT LAW
A property right granted to the inventor of a new or useful invention or improvement to an existing invention. Patent protection allows the inventor to exclude anyone from making, using, or selling the item. Examples of items protected by
TRADE SECRET LAW
Any confidential information about a product or service, which gives someone an economic advantage over their competitors. An example of a trade secret is the formula for Coca-Cola. Know one, except those with a need to know, knows what it is. One major distinction between a trade secret and a patent is that the patent application requires the extensive disclosure of information, so nothing is secret. A trade secret, on the other hand, allows the owner of the trade secret to maintain the secrecy of their proprietary information. Several years ago, Microsoft did what some thought to be an unthinkable act–it changed its business model to become more of an open-source company, whereby converting some of its trade secrets to patents. A business judgment decision every company gets to make.
RIGHT OF PUBLICITY LAW
A right granted to an individual to control and profit from the commercial use of their name, image, likeness, or persona (identity). This means you can make money from your own image. What you cannot do is make money by exploiting someone else’s image, without their permission. One way this arises is at conferences where meeting want to videotape celebrity keynoters, or where speakers want to videotape their audience members. In order to do so, you absolutely must get
Latest Blog

Wills vs. Trusts: A Quick & Simple Reference Guide
Wills vs. Trusts: Confused about the differences between a will and a trust? If so, you arenot alone. While it is always wise to contact experts like us, it is also important to understand the basics. Here is a quick and simple reference guide: What a Revocable...

Wills vs. Trusts: In Plain English
Everyone has heard of wills and trusts. Most articles written on these topics, however, often presume that everyone knows the basics of these important documents. But, in reality, many of us do not – and with good reason – as they are rooted in complicated,...

Revocable Trust vs. Irrevocable Trust: Which Is Best for You?
Revocable Trust vs. Irrevocable Trust: A properly funded trust allows you to avoid probate, minimize taxes, provides organization, maintains control, and provides for yourself and your heirs. In its most simple terms, a trust is a book of instructions wherein you tell...
Francine D. Ward
Helping Individuals & Businesses Protect Their Intellectual Property
Resources
© 2021 Francine D. Ward | All Rights Reserved | This is Attorney Advertising | No Attorney/Client Relationship | Permissions