{"id":4523,"date":"2016-04-04T11:47:33","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:47:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/business-lawyer-resources\/hiring-legal-help-with-patents.html"},"modified":"2024-05-23T02:01:40","modified_gmt":"2024-05-23T07:01:40","slug":"hiring-legal-help-with-patents","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/business-lawyer-resources\/hiring-legal-help-with-patents.html","title":{"rendered":"Getting Legal Help From a Patent Attorney"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Getting Legal Help From a Patent Attorney<\/h1>\n
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\n By Jade Chounlamountry, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Aviana Cooper, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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Editorial Note: We earn a commission from affiliate partner links on FindLaw. Commissions do not affect the editorial integrity of our legal content.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n \n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Small businesses and startups often struggle to protect their ideas. Known as intellectual property (IP)<\/a>, these intangible assets are valuable because they give inventors exclusive rights to innovations and brand names. Protecting them through patents can be challenging. That’s where a patent attorney comes in.<\/p>\r\n

In this article, we’ll look at how a patent attorney can help small businesses and offer tips on how to find the right one.<\/p>\r\n

Understanding Intellectual Property<\/h2>\r\n

Intellectual property (IP) is a term that covers a wide range of intangible assets. These assets have significant value for individuals and businesses. Below are common examples of intellectual property:<\/p>\r\n

Inventions – Patents<\/a><\/h3>\r\n

Patents are a type of intellectual property protection the government grants. They give inventors exclusive rights to their new and valuable creations for a certain period. These creations can be tangible products or new methods or processes.<\/p>\r\n

A patent can prevent others from making, using, or selling the same thing for a specified time, often 20 years from the filing date.<\/p>\r\n

Company Names – Trademarks<\/a><\/h3>\r\n

Trademarks protect the names, logos, and symbols that identify a company or its products and services. Trademarks are crucial for establishing brand recognition and loyalty.<\/p>\r\n

For instance, both the distinctive logo and the name of a famous soft drink company are protected by trademarks. This legal protection prevents others from using similar names or logos. In turn, this prevents customer confusion and brand dilution.<\/p>\r\n

Creative Works – Copyrights<\/a><\/h3>\r\n

Copyrights protect various creative works. Creative works may include books, music, movies, and software. They give creators exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, and display their work. For instance, a novelist holds the copyright to their book, which means no one else can publish it without permission. Copyright protection lasts for the creator’s lifetime plus 70 years.<\/p>\r\n

Secret Business Information – Trade Secrets<\/a><\/h3>\r\n

Trade secrets cover confidential business information that provides a competitive edge. Unlike patents, which are publicly disclosed, trade secrets are kept confidential. Trade secret protection continues as long as the information:<\/p>\r\n