Intellectual Property Theft and Why You Should Care

The term “intellectual property” refers to a wide variety of holdings.  It can refer to a company or individual’s trade secrets, trademarks, patents, copyrights, and proprietary products.  With the rise of technology, intellectual property theft has become more rampant and widespread.

Intellectual Property Theft - Legal Protection 

The United States has many laws that protect intellectual property.  For example, there are U.S. statutes that make it illegal to infringe upon a patent, copyright, or trademark.  Similarly, the United States has laws against the misappropriation of trade secrets.  Once you create or acquire any type of intellectual property that you intend to monetize, it may be advantageous to file for official intellectual property protection.  Registering a patent, trademark, or copyright may entitle you to more damages should it be infringed upon, and such protection gives presumptive nationwide notice to others.

Unfortunately, intellectual property theft often takes place abroad where it is more difficult for law enforcement to pursue and enforce U.S. intellectual property laws.  This problem is compounded by the fact that most intellectual property rights are territorial and limited to the jurisdiction that they were registered in.

How Can an Intellectual Property Attorney Protect Your Intellectual Property?

Hiring an intellectual property attorney can help give you peace of mind that your intellectual property is properly protected.  An intellectual property attorney can conduct periodic audits of your intellectual property assets to check that your intellectual property portfolio is up-to-date.  They can also review and craft non-disclosure agreements to help protect your intellectual property assets.

Intellectual property attorneys can also draft agreements for licensing needs, sales contracts, technology transfers, master purchase agreements, or any other contracts involving IP assets.

About the Firm:

Klemchuk LLP is a litigation, intellectual property, transactional, and international business law firm dedicated to protecting innovation. The firm provides tailored legal solutions to industries including software, technology, retail, real estate, consumer goods, ecommerce, telecommunications, restaurant, energy, media, and professional services. The firm focuses on serving mid-market companies seeking long-term, value-added relationships with a law firm. Learn more about experiencing law practiced differently and our local counsel practice.

The firm publishes Intellectual Property Trends (latest developments in IP law), Conversations with Innovators (interviews with thought leaders), Leaders in Law (insights from law leaders), Culture Counts (thoughts on law firm culture and business), and Legal Insights (in-depth analysis of IP, litigation, and transactional law).