Have You Had Your Intellectual Property Stolen? Apply For A Patent
Do you have an idea that you feel will be the next big thing? You may need the skills of an intellectual property lawyer. The upside to an increasingly globalized world are the wealth of different ways you can get your concepts and projects out for everybody to see. The downside, however, are the accompanying ways your work can be stolen right out from under your nose. Images can be stolen, ideas can be lifted from the source and potential money thrown to the wayside. With a trademark attorney, your concept or product will be protected by law for years to come, giving you the peace of mind necessary to see your dreams fulfilled. Let’s take a look at how this form of law affects individuals and companies alike in the United States, as well as the function of an intellectual property lawyer and associated firms.
History Of Patents
Patent and trademark law is nothing new. As long as civilization has been around, so too has intellectual property law to safeguard the ideas and goals of the populace at large. Back in the late 1700’s the cost to obtain a patent was between $4 and $5. Between the years 1915 and 1916, the U.S. Patent Office granted more than 400 patents per individual — compare this to now, where the years 2010 and 2011 offered over 120,000 grants per year.
Intellectual Property
The definition of intellectual property is either a product or a concept that belongs solely to an individual, be it through a patent or a trademark. When you take a look at a soda can or a pencil brand, it is immediately evident in the brand name and design just who the product belongs to. It’s estimated nearly three million patent applicants were filed worldwide back in 2013, representing a stunning growth of 9% from the previous year. The term of a design patent is at 14 years, which is measured from the date the patent is first granted.
Patent Growth
More and more people are turning toward the skillset of an intellectual property lawyer. The U.S. Chamber Of Commerce Intellectual Property Center, for starters, has calculated the worth of intellectual property in the United States to be between $5 trillion and nearly $6 trillion. The United States, compared to countries around the world, ranks ninth in patents per capita due to global competition.
False Patents
Not all patents are legal and, as such, it’s imperative to ensure your source is verified. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for example, estimates over 15% of pharmaceuticals entering the United States every year are fake. The Council of State Governments has seen the American economy losing nearly $60 billion every year to copyright infringement alone — this includes $16 billion in loss of revenue to copyright owners as well as an additional $3 billion in lost tax revenue.
Intellectual Property Laywers
If you want to see your concepts or works protected, seeking out an intellectual property lawyer should be at the top of your to-do list. They have a working knowledge of the legal system as well as access to resources that can see your ideas shielded under consequence of legal action. For works deemed ‘made for hire’, a term used to cover the type of work owned by small businesses, the copyright will last for 95 years from the very first date of its publication. You can also choose a term of 120 years, depending on which one expires first. Nobody wants to see all their hard work go to waste, or worse, given credit in the wrong hands. Visit your local patent law firm and see how they can turn your dreams into a reality.
