Introduction to Intellectual Property Law

It takes a lifetime to learn about the law of Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, and Trade Secrets.  This website is not intended to turn you into a lawyer.  In fact, if you are having legal problems with others infringing on your ideas or written expression, you should consult a lawyer.  

What we plan to do is teach you your rights, what and how to protect your intellectual property, what relief you are owed for other's infringement.  We also will tell you what you can safely and legally use of other's creative ideas.

Read the outline below to get idea of what you will learn from these lessons.

Copyrights

What is a copyright?

 As defined in the dictionary, a copyright is given to an originator or an assignee to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material, and to authorize others to do the same. 

As defined in the United States Code:

Patents

What is a Patent?

According to the dictionary a patent is a government authority or license conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention.  That is a good summary but it is so much more.

As defined in the United States Code:

We have put together a series of different presentations that will guide you, we call modules. Each module takes about 20 minutes.

You don't have to take the modules in order although it is recommended you do so. The modules are designed so you can skip around if a particular topic doesn't interest you or you don't have time.

The lessons on Copyright will show you:

  • The history of Copyrights,
  • What is a copyright and how it is defined,
  • When is a copyright infringed,
  • What awards can be obtained if your work is infringed,
  • What are your defenses if someone accuses you of infringement,
  • How to register your work.

    • The lessons on Patents flow similarly to those on Copyrights:

    1. The history of Patents,
    2. What is a Patent and the elements,
    3. When is a Patent infringed,
    4. What awards can be obtained if your work is infringed,
    5. What are your defenses if someone accuses you of infringement,

    Still interested? Click on the "Register" button above.