King Patent and Business Law, PLLC

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.

Recent Posts About Intellectual Property

Time ISN’T On Your Side: Key Dates & Deadlines in Patent Law

In business and innovation, timing is everything—especially when it comes to patents. Unlike trademarks, where rights can last indefinitely if maintained properly, or copyrights, where they last for a very long time whether they’re registered or not, patents require registration, operate on a strict timeline, and last for a comparatively limited time. While the Rolling Stones said time is on their side, time ISN’T on your side with patents.

If you miss a patent deadline, you could lose your exclusive rights forever. Let’s break down the key dates you need to know to protect your inventions.

March 12, 2025

Too Late for Trademarks? Key Dates & Deadlines in Trademark Law

Time matters for trademarks. Whether you’re launching a new brand or protecting an existing one, understanding the critical dates and deadlines in trademark law can mean the difference between securing your rights and losing them. Keeping track of trademark timing is essential for protecting your brand and staying ahead of the competition. Def Leppard said it’s too late for love, but let’s look at whether it’s too late for your trademarks.

March 11, 2025

Copyright Waits for No One: Key Dates & Deadlines in Copyright Law

Whether you’re a business owner, content creator, or entrepreneur, understanding the key dates and deadlines in copyright law can help you protect your intellectual property and avoid costly mistakes. If you create original content—whether it’s books, music, art, or business materials—registering your copyright early and understanding how long it lasts can help you secure and enforce your rights.

March 10, 2025

Death and the Pending IP Application

If you die while waiting for a copyright, trademark, or patent application to be granted, what happens to the application and to your intellectual property?

March 7, 2025

Your Business Idea Feels Revolutionary, But Is it? Does it Matter?

Your business idea feels revolutionary—but does uniqueness even matter?
Not necessarily! While a completely new concept might be valuable, execution is key. A coffee shop isn’t new, but Starbucks’ execution made it a billion-dollar company.

March 6, 2025

Is Your Invention or Idea Inventive Enough to Patent?

You have a groundbreaking invention—but how do you know if it’s truly innovative enough for a patent?
Are you 100% certain no one anywhere in the world has had the same idea and made it public in any way? I’ve had clients think they were that certain, only to find out the hard way they were wrong.
Why does it matter whether you’re the only one to have your amazing idea?

March 5, 2025