Intellectual Property

Patent

Trademark

Copyright

Trade Secrets and Confidential/Proprietary Information

Patents

Patents protect inventions, like manufactured items, processes, machines, compositions of matter, or improvements to those things. Sometimes they also protect the way a manufactured item looks or a new kind of plant.

Trademarks

Trademarks protect your brand: business name, logo, slogan, package design, store design elements, sounds, scents, and more. They identify a source of goods or services and distinguish it from others.​

Copyright

Copyright protects intellectual and artistic expression, including books, magazines, movies, photographs, music, drawings, paintings, live performances, and sculpture. It also protects software programs, business plans and charts, websites, graphic designs, and data compilations.

Other IP Protection

Trade secrets, confidential information, and proprietary information cover many pieces of intellectual property that can’t be protected by patent, trademark, or copyright registration. Non-disclosure agreements are useful for protection.