{"id":5012,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:53","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/patent-law-how-do-i-secure-a-patent.html"},"modified":"2024-05-22T03:05:05","modified_gmt":"2024-05-22T08:05:05","slug":"patent-law-how-do-i-secure-a-patent","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/smallbusiness\/intellectual-property\/patent-law-how-do-i-secure-a-patent.html","title":{"rendered":"Patent Law: How Do I Secure a Patent?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Patent Law: How Do I Secure a Patent?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Taylar-Simone McCants, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Amber Sheppard, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\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

As a small business owner, entrepreneur, or startup, securing a patent is essential in protecting your intellectual property. Patents are among the hardest intellectual property (IP) protections to receive. Patent applications are detailed and complex. They must meet strict rules. Knowing what you can and cannot patent, which patent application to choose, and how to find a patent lawyer can help protect your invention.<\/p>\r\n

Common Intellectual Property Protections<\/h2>\r\n

There are four types of intellectual property:\u00a0copyrights<\/a>,\u00a0trademarks<\/a>,\u00a0trade secrets,<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0patents<\/a>. The different forms of intellectual property rights protect intangible assets like creative works. IP protection provides creators exclusive rights to their creations. This prevents others from using or reproducing these works without permission.<\/p>\r\n

Copyright<\/h3>\r\n

Copyright protection is a type of IP protection that covers original works of authorship, such as:<\/p>\r\n