Protecting Your Product Or Service

Anything you design, invent or create is commonly referred as intellectual property and can be protected from competitors.

A patent is a document issued by government office, giving a patentee the legal right to the ownership of an invention. If you are interested in obtaining a patent you should consult a qualified registered patent agent because the process is complex. If you are applying for patent and patent is granted, you are protected against its unauthorized use and you hold the rights to sold your right or charge a royalty to anyone who uses your invention.

Copyrights applies to all original literary, artistic, musical and dramatic works (books, pamphlets, writings, musical works, sculptures, paintings, photographs, encyclopedias, motion pictures, plays, computer programs and so on). Anything you create cannot be copied by others without permission. You automatically hold the copyright on any original work you create but you may apply for added protection. Authors are usually the first owners of the copyrights unless they were hired to create the work, in which case the employer is the copyright owner.

A trade-mark in most instances is a word, logo, symbol, design or a combination of these that identifies your product or service in the marketplace. For example: brand names are trademarks. It's a good idea to register a trademark if you want to ensure that no one else uses it.

It is any original shape, ornamentation or pattern made by hand, tool or machine that is mass produced. Industrial design may be sold outright or may be licensed but the transaction should be registered.

Patents and How to Get One: A Practical Handbook by U. S. Department of Commerce - Handy official guide explains functions of the Patent and Trademark Office, describes a patent, defines such terms as "patent pending" and "patent applied for," discusses patent law, explains what can be patented and the process of registering patents, describes filing fees, and much else—all in simple, easy-to-understanding language. Designed specifically for non-attorneys, this indispensable handbook will be of value to inventors, patent applicants, students, and other interested parties.

How to Register Your Own Copyright, 5E - Clarifies differences between the various forms of intellectual property Discusses the benefits of copyright registration Explains the necessary steps in registering a copyright Includes the latest cases on music copyright and new regulations Details methods for correcting copyright registration Addresses international copyright registration Contains information regarding licensing or assignment of copyrights Details the appropriate filing fees and locations for payment.

The Entrepreneur's Guide to Patents, Copyrights, Trademarks, Trade Secrets & Licensing - Today, virtually all companies, artists, and innovators run the risk of losing their competitive edge-and big money-by not adequately safeguarding their intellectual property. Written by an expert in intellectual property law, this is the first book to address the full range of legal protections available-patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and licensing-with innovative info you won't find elsewhere...

A Basic Guide for Buying and Selling a Company - This outstanding guide contains all the essentials with regard to the interaction of people transacting for small businesses and how to maximize your chances to obtain fair deals. Explains how to effectively use a business broker, methods of payment available to the buyer, deal with an attorney, how the seller prices the company, and much more.