+ What Are The Most Common IP Issues Facing Business Owners?

For most businesses, intellectual property is one of their most valuable assets, but also one of the most overlooked. Whether you run a startup, a creative studio, or an established company, understanding how IP affects your operations can prevent costly mistakes down the road.

One of the most common issues business owners face is failing to protect their brand early. Without a registered trademark, your business name or logo may not be fully protected, leaving you vulnerable to copycats or costly rebranding if a conflict arises. Similarly, copyright issues often occur when businesses use images, music, or written material online without proper permissions or licenses.

Another frequent challenge is unclear ownership of creative or technical work. Many companies don’t realize that if an employee, contractor, or collaborator creates content or technology, ownership must be explicitly defined in writing. Without a clear assignment of rights, your business might not legally own what it paid for.

Finally, many entrepreneurs delay or overlook patent filings, exposing their innovations to competitors and losing valuable protection under the U.S. “first-to-file” rule.

The good news is that most of these issues can be prevented with early planning. Conducting an IP audit, registering your trademarks and copyrights, and filing patents where appropriate help ensure your brand, creations, and inventions truly belong to you.

+ How Can I Protect My Music, Writing, or Art?

Your songs, lyrics, and visual art are more than creative expressions—they’re intellectual property. Under U.S. law, copyright protection arises automatically the moment an original work is fixed in a tangible form, such as a recorded track, written composition, or digital illustration. However, formal registration with the U.S. Copyright Office provides critical advantages: it creates a public record of ownership, allows you to pursue damages and attorney’s fees in infringement cases, and strengthens your legal standing in licensing or enforcement actions.

Whether you’re composing music, writing lyrics, or creating visual designs, registering your work ensures that your creativity remains yours. Copyright gives you the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, perform, and display your work, and to authorize others to do so on your terms.

+ How Can I Protect My Brand, Logo or Design?

Your brand name and logo are more than just a name or image —they’re the face of your business and the foundation of your reputation. Trademark protection ensures that the goodwill you build stays yours and prevents others from trading on your success. While using a mark in commerce creates some common-law rights, federal registration with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides far greater protection: nationwide exclusivity, legal presumptions of ownership, and the ability to enforce your rights in federal court.

Whether you’re launching a new product line, opening a studio, or expanding your online presence, registering your trademark helps secure your name, logo, and even your tagline. A registered mark distinguishes your work from competitors, builds consumer trust, and becomes one of your most valuable business assets. Protect your brand early—before someone else do

+ How Can I Protect my Idea or Invention?

Every great invention begins with an idea—but turning that idea into a protected asset requires foresight. Patent protection safeguards your innovations, granting you the exclusive right to make, use, and sell your invention for a defined period. By filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you transform your concept into a legally recognized property right, deterring competitors and attracting investors or licensees.

Whether your creation is a new product, process, design, or technological improvement, a patent ensures that you—not others—control its commercial use. Our team works with inventors and engineers to evaluate patentability, prepare and file applications, and, when necessary, enforce those rights through patent prosecution and litigation. Protect your innovation early; a timely patent can be the difference between a breakthrough and a lost opportunity.

+ What Do I Do If Someone Is Using My Brand Name Or Something Similar?

If you discover another business using your brand name, or one that looks or sounds confusingly similar, it’s important to act quickly. Trademark law exists to protect your brand's identity and the goodwill you’ve built with your customers.

Our firm can help you evaluate whether the other party’s use infringes your rights, whether your have a registered mark or are relying on common law rights, and determine the most effective course of action. This may involve sending a cease-and-desist letter, filing a trademark opposition or cancellation, or, when necessary, pursuing federal trademark litigation to stop the infringement. In some cases, a negotiated settlement or coexistence agreement can resolve the matter without a court fight.

Every day you delay enforcement risks weakening your mark. We’ll help you enforce your rights promptly, preserve your reputation, and maintain control of your brand’s identity—because your name is worth defending.

+ What Do I Do If Someone Is Using My Patented Idea?

If you discover that someone is making, using, or selling your patented invention without permission, it may constitute patent infringement—a serious violation of your exclusive rights. Acting quickly is essential. Every unauthorized sale or use can weaken your position and reduce your ability to recover damages.

Our firm can help you assess whether infringement has occurred and determine the most strategic response. This may include sending a cease-and-desist letter, pursuing licensing negotiations to secure royalties, or initiating a federal patent infringement lawsuit to stop the unauthorized use.

Patent protection gives you the exclusive right to profit from your innovation—don’t let others take that value without authorization. We’ll help you enforce your patent rights, protect your market position, and preserve the competitive advantage your invention was meant to secure.

+ What If Someone Is Accusing Me Of Using Their Intellectual Property?

It’s not uncommon for a new business to receive a letter from another company claiming that its name, product, or idea infringes on someone else’s intellectual property. These disputes arise in every industry — from startups and small businesses to universities, sports organizations, and major brands. Few things are more frustrating than being told that your idea is, in fact, someone else’s.

The good news is that a claim of infringement is not automatically valid. Many disputes begin with negotiation, and in some cases, they end with a mutually beneficial agreement. In others, you may need to stand your ground and defend your right to continue using your intellectual property.

If you’ve received a cease-and-desist letter, it’s important to take it seriously. Ignoring it can lead to a lawsuit — one in which you may have to defend both your continued use of the idea and potential claims for money damages. These cases often involve strategic decisions and careful risk assessment.

Choosing the right attorney matters. Some situations call for an aggressive, litigation-ready approach. Others benefit from a calm, business-oriented strategy focused on resolution. We work with clients to define goals early — balancing legal defense with practical outcomes and budget. Not every dispute needs to become a war; sometimes the best result is the one that lets you get back to business.

+ What If I Want to Patent An Improvement To My Existing Patent?

Innovation rarely stops at the first invention. Many inventors discover new ways to improve their original designs, technologies, or processes after a patent has already been granted. Fortunately, U.S. patent law allows you to protect those improvements—but the process must be handled carefully.

If you’ve developed a modification or enhancement to your patented invention, you may be eligible to file a continuation-in-part (CIP) or improvement patent application. This filing can protect new features or functionalities that were not covered by your original claims. The challenge lies in striking the right balance: maintaining the benefits of your existing patent’s priority date while clearly defining the new, patentable subject matter.

Before proceeding, it’s important to evaluate whether the improvement meets the same fundamental requirements of novelty, non-obviousness, and utility as any new invention. Our team can help assess whether your improvement qualifies for separate protection, draft the appropriate application, and manage both prosecution and enforcement strategies to ensure your expanded portfolio remains strong.

Every improvement represents another step forward in innovation—make sure it’s protected.

+ Why Is It Important To file A Patent Application ASAP?

When it comes to protecting your invention, timing is everything. U.S. patent law operates on a “first-to-file” system, meaning that the first person to file a patent application—not necessarily the first to invent—usually holds the rights. Waiting too long to file could mean losing the ability to patent your idea altogether.

Public disclosure, sale, or even demonstration of your invention before filing can trigger strict statutory bars under the Patent Act. In the United States, you typically have only one year from the date of your first public disclosure to file a patent application—and in most other countries, any public disclosure immediately destroys your right to patent.

Filing early does more than preserve your rights. It establishes an official priority date, deters competitors, and can attract investors or licensing partners who value clear ownership. A provisional patent application is often a smart first step, allowing you to secure your filing date while continuing to refine your invention.

Delaying a filing can mean losing exclusive rights forever. Protect your innovation early—because in patent law, the clock starts ticking the moment your idea leaves the drawing board.

+ Do I Need A Provisional Patent Application Or A Nonprovisional Application?

One of the first decisions inventors face is what type of patent application to file. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office offers two main paths: provisional and nonprovisional applications. Each serves a different purpose, and understanding the distinction can make a critical difference in your protection strategy.

A provisional patent application is often the right choice if your invention is still being refined or you need more time to prepare a full filing. It’s a lower-cost way to secure an early filing date—essential in the U.S. “first-to-file” system—and lets you mark your invention as “patent pending” for up to 12 months. However, a provisional application never becomes an issued patent on its own; you must follow it with a nonprovisional application within that year to preserve your priority.

A nonprovisional patent application is the formal submission that the Patent Office examines to determine patentability. It requires complete claims, detailed drawings, and formal documentation. Once filed, it can result in an issued patent granting you exclusive rights to make, use, and sell your invention.

Choosing the right type of application depends on your stage of development, funding, and business goals. Our firm helps inventors evaluate their readiness, prepare strong filings, and develop a roadmap from provisional protection to a full, enforceable patent—so your innovation is protected every step of the way.

+ What Are Some IP Considerations For Companies That Resale Wholesale Goods?

Reselling products can be an excellent way to build a business—but it also brings unique intellectual property risks that every reseller should understand. Even if you did not design or manufacture the product, you can still be pulled into a legal dispute if the item infringes someone else’s trademark, copyright, or patent.

To reduce this risk, resellers should ensure they have a written agreement with their wholesalers or suppliers that includes a clear indemnification clause. This provision requires the wholesaler to defend and reimburse the reseller if the products they supply are later found to infringe another company’s IP rights. Without such protection, your business could face costly litigation for something entirely outside your control.

A well-drafted wholesale or distribution agreement should also confirm that the supplier: Owns or is authorized to sell the intellectual property associated with the products; Will maintain accurate labeling, branding, and trademark use; and Will notify you promptly of any known or alleged infringement issues.

Taking these steps helps ensure that your company can continue reselling with confidence. Indemnification isn’t just a legal safeguard—it’s a practical business tool that shifts risk back to the party best positioned to manage it. By addressing IP protection up front, you strengthen your supply chain and protect your bottom line.