Intellectual Property Attorney in McKinney, Texas
Protecting Your Company’s Intellectual Property
If your company is like many others, your intellectual property (IP) is the most valuable thing you own. The patents for your inventions and the trademarks on your brand define your company and create the foundation upon which everything else stands. Too often, however, companies overlook important steps for protecting that property until they encounter a problem.
Whether you face a dispute regarding IP, would like to prevent one from happening, or need advice regarding how to best leverage your property for future growth, I can provide you with the guidance you need. I assist companies with their business needs throughout Northern Texas.
Understanding Your Ownership Rights
The term intellectual property covers several different types of property rights regarding innovation. They have distinct legal definitions and procedures for licensing. They include:
Patents – You may apply for patent registration through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for physical inventions and innovative processes. Within this category are utility patents, plant patents, and design patents.
Trademarks – Trademarks are the words or designs, such as slogans and logos, that you associate with your brand to allow customers to distinguish your product from others in the marketplace. You may also register your trademark with the USPTO.
Copyright – Copyright protects original works of authorship, such as music, art, literary works, architecture, and computer software, as long as they are in a tangible form. Though a copyright exists as soon as you create the work, you need to register it for purposes of a legal challenge.
Trade secrets – These represent a fundamental part of your business that sets you apart from your competitors, which your company makes a point of keeping secret. You do not need to register a trade secret. Rather, a court may prohibit someone from using a trade secret stolen from your company.
Understanding the differences between your different types of intellectual property will help you manage and protect that property appropriately. At my firm, Treyson J. Brooks, I am a registered patent attorney admitted to practice before the USPTO. I can help you further analyze how to best defend and protect your IP.
Licensing Agreements as a Revenue Stream
Licensing agreements allow a party to use the intellectual property of another party on limited terms defined by the contract. Both parties may benefit from this arrangement. They can help you build a new revenue stream from existing property or fill a gap in your own IP portfolio. I have considerable experience negotiating and drafting licensing agreements and can help you determine if such an arrangement might benefit your company.
Make the Most of Your IP
At my firm, Treyson J. Brooks, I will help you determine if you are protecting your IP and taking advantage of everything it has to offer your company. Schedule a consultation by calling or by sending an email.