While the areas we've discussed previously cover the majority
of needs for inexpensive intellectual property protections, there are other forms of protection that
should be considered and researched.
TRADE SECRET is an odd area of IP law. In essence, instead of protecting something
the creator reveals, the law provides the right to keep it secret. Of course, society doesn't benefit from a
secret as much as if it had been revealed for a patent, thus allowing others to begin improving on it,
so the range and scope of protection is comparatively narrow.
INTERNET LAW deals with the ever expanding issues engendered by the Internet. As
one example, questions involving domain names are usually grist for this mill. Many issues
involving infringement are as well, although that area is becoming a bit more settled. This area is
so large and diverse, it has become a new, stand-alone, area of law.
UNFAIR COMPETITION covers several different theories. One personalized example:
you sell your
product, a liquid, under your tradename, but someone is buying it, diluting it, and re-selling it
diluted. They aren't actually stealing your name for the sales, after all, it is your product in
diluted form. This might be unfair competition. There are various legal theories of unfair
competition: one is actually named "dilution", referring to the fact that the trademark's impact
on the public is being diluted, not the product! Others legal theories include false representation, misappropriation, disparagement and more.
For readers who believe that they may have some intellectual property of their own to protect, the first question is to determine what
category of intellectual property law it fits into. And while it may not be obvious at first what category it fits
within, or if it is protectable at all, the range of protections offered by the law are very broad.
With experience, it is possible to protect an amazing array of humanity's intellectual, engineering,
business and artistic advancements.
1. Types of Intellectual Property
2. About Patents
.....a) Computer Patents
.....b) Software Patents
.....c) Telecommunications Patents
.....d) Electronics Patents
.....e) Business Method Patents
.....f) E-commerce Patents
.....g) Mechanical Patents
.....h) Chemistry Patents
.....i) Biotechnology
Patents
.....j) Pharmaceutical
Patents
3. About Trademarks
4. About Copyrights
5. Other Types of Protection
6. International Protection
7. Costs
8. For a Free Initial Consultation
9. Further Questions
10. About Mr.
Barber