Any Idea Worth Protecting Is Worth Protecting Well.
At By Design Law , we understand the power of a great idea. With intimate knowledge of intellectual property law and the best asset protection tools, our firm is the ideal legal partner for individuals and companies alike. Call us at (206) 593-1519 to explore your options.
Do you have an idea worth protecting? If so, you need to start the process now—or the idea won’t be yours for long. Someone else will eventually make the same discovery, and if they secure legal protection first, it’s game over for you.
That’s because protecting intellectual property is a winner-takes-all race, and there is no consolation prize. And let’s face it: Great ideas tend to come to more than one person. Luckily, there’s an easy way to ensure you reap the rewards for your hard work, and it’s by partnering with an experienced intellectual property lawyer.
As a Seattle-based law firm specializing in intellectual property protection, By Design Law has the resources and expertise to help. No matter what sector you’re in or the nature of your idea, we know the most effective ways to safeguard your intellectual property and solidify your ownership.
This article will explain everything you need to know about intellectual property protection, the best tools for the job and why our top-tier protection services.
The most valuable innovations are the ones you legally own. As premier intellectual property attorneys in Seattle, we help individuals and companies of all sizes maintain their competitive edge and ensure long-term success through IP protection. Contact us online to schedule a free consultation .
Understanding Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is a rights category that encompasses myriad ideas, including inventions, artistic works, symbols, designs, names, brands, processes and more.
There are four main types of intellectual property protection, all of which are regulated by the government: patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. Each category offers unique advantages and demands a specific set of legal strategies to employ correctly.
Patents
Patents are granted by government patent offices and are designed to protect new and useful inventions, processes or products. To obtain a patent, the invention must meet certain criteria, including novelty, industrial applicability and non-obviousness. Patents are legally enforceable, and infringement disputes are typically resolved in court.
Trademarks
Whereas patents are reserved for new inventions, trademarks are typically granted for brand-related intellectual property. This could include signs, symbols, names, logos, designs or other similar items that distinguish a company’s particular offering. Although registering a trademark can provide you with essential protection against unauthorized use, it’s critical to conduct a thorough trademark search first. An intellectual property attorney can help ensure your desired mark isn’t already in use.
Copyrights
Obtaining a copyright is the ideal way to protect a creative work that exists in tangible form. This includes written works, recorded music, visual art and more. Legally speaking, the moments a work exists in tangible form, it is automatically protected by copyright law. However, registering a copyright is the safest way to ensure additional benefits and ward off infringement and statutory damage claims.
Trade Secrets
If you’re trying to understand the essence of trade secrets, think the Coca-Cola recipe. A trade secret is any piece of valuable business information that isn’t known by the public and that gives your company its competitive edge. It encompasses assets like formulas, manufacturing processes, marketing strategies and even customer lists. Unlike patents, trademarks and copyrights, trade secrets are protected mainly by thorough, detailed employee contracts.
Our Intellectual Property Protection Offerings
Protecting your intellectual property isn’t as simple as claiming ownership rights or filing an application. The reality is that IP law is complex and entails numerous considerations. If you want to rest easy knowing that your ideas won’t be stolen, co-opted or misused, you need to partner with a trusted intellectual property attorney .
Don’t worry—By Design Law has got you covered. Here are a few of our firm’s crucial IP protection offerings:
- Full-spectrum, custom-tailored IP strategies. At By Design Law, we’re all about custom solutions. After assessing your specific needs and goals, our attorneys will evaluate your IP assets, suggest the most appropriate protection methods and help you allocate resources accordingly.
- IP registration. Filing and pursuing applications for intellectual property protection can be a complicated, time-consuming process. Your attorney can help you navigate the registration process, ensuring your application is accurate and optimized for success. From preparation to filing to prosecution of your applications, your IP lawyer will advocate for your rights every step of the way.
- IP portfolio management. Protecting your intellectual property isn’t a one-and-done situation, especially when you’re dealing with a portfolio of IP assets. An IP protection attorney can help you manage and maintain them effectively by monitoring renewal deadlines, maintenance fees and other important dates. They can also conduct regular portfolio audits to identify opportunities for expansion, licensing and enforcement.
- IP enforcement. If you discover that someone else is infringing on your intellectual property, an attorney can help enforce your ownership rights. They may send cease-and-desist letters, negotiate settlements, assist in dispute resolution and even file lawsuits on your behalf.
- International IP protection. If you plan to expand your business internationally, it’s important to understand that IP laws differ widely. Your legal partner can guide you through the complexities of international IP law, including various treaties, conventions and regulations to ensure your intellectual property remains protected.
- IP dispute resolution . From infringement claims to opposition proceedings to domain name disputes, our IP attorneys can help you resolve any issues that arise. Whether it’s through negotiation, mediation, arbitration or litigation, we’ll work to protect your interests and pursue the most favorable outcome possible.
It doesn’t matter whether you work for a start-up, a multinational corporation or for yourself—you’re going to need intellectual property protection at some point. And when you do, By Design Law will be there to support your success in an increasingly competitive and innovation-driven world.
By Design Law: Premier Intellectual Property Protection
Some assets appreciate greatly with time—all you’ve got to do is sit on them. That’s not the case when it comes to intellectual property. In fact, the longer you wait to ensure it, the greater your risk of losing it to someone else. We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Ready to secure your intellectual property and protect your future? Getting started with By Design Law is easy. Give us a call at (206) 593-1519 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation .
