IP Counsel
Intellectual property rights are like any other property right. They allow creators or owners of patents, trademarks or copyrighted works to benefit from their own work or investment in a creation. As your IP counsel I can advise you on issues ranging from commercial exploitation to infringement disputes, and agreements that deal either exclusively with IP or with IP rights in the wider context of larger commercial transactions.
Patent
A patent is a right to exclude others from making, using, distributing, or selling your invention without your consent. The first step in securing a patent is to file a patent applicaiton. A patent owner generally has 20 years from the filling date to enforce their property right.
Trademark
A trademark is a distinctive sign that identifies the source of a good or service. Trademarks protection ensures that the owner of a mark has the exclusive right to use the mark to idenitfy the goods or services. A trademark may be one or a combinaton of words, letters, numerals, and drawings. The first step in securing a trademark is to file a trademark application.
Copyright
Copyright laws grant authors, artists, and other creators protection for their literary and artistic creations. Works covered by copyright include, but are not limited to: novels, poems, plays, reference works, newspapers, advertisements, computer programs, databases, films, musical compositions, choreography, paintings, drawings, photographs, sculpture, architecture, maps and technical drawings. Copyright and related rights protection is obtained automatically without the need for registration or other formalities. However, many countries provide for a national system of optional registration and deposit of works. These systems facilitate questions involving disputes over ownership or creation, financial transactions, sales, assignments and transfer of rights.
Trade Secret
A trade secret is any confidential business information which provides an enterprise a competitive edge. Trade secrets encompass manufacturing or industrial secrets and commercial secrets. The unauthorized use of such information by persons other than the holder is regarded as an unfair practice and a violation of the trade secret. Trade secrets are protected without registration, and consequently can be protected for an unlimited period of time.