Philadelphia Intellectual Property Lawyers Explain the Common Violations of Intellectual Property
Obtaining a patent, copyright, trademark, or any other type of intellectual property right is an important step to protecting your hard work, effort, and money spent as an inventor, artist, writer, or business. One of the most important rights you have as the holder of intellectual property is the right to use, grant use, or exclude others from using your invention or literary work. Unfortunately, other individuals or businesses may inadvertently or even intentionally violate these rights for their own gain. There are many common types of violations of intellectual property, and our intellectual property attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, want you to know what they are to protect your rights to compensation in the future.
This is because knowledge is the best defense when it comes to intellectual property rights. Our experienced intellectual property lawyers at Paul & Paul specialize in applying for, protecting, and defending intellectual property rights in Pennsylvania, the United States, and throughout the world. We know the many types of violations and signs that inventors, writers, and businesses need to be aware of to protect their hard-earned IP rights.
What are Common Ways IP Rights are Violated?
There are many ways that someone could violate your IP rights. While watch agencies and law firms can monitor your IP rights for you, the best way to defend your IP rights is to be mindful of violations on your own watch. The sooner that you detect and stop the violation, the better chance you will have to protect your profits, business or product’s good will, and your overall market position.
Some of the most common types of ways that IP rights are violated include the following:
● Patent infringement – either manufacturing or selling a product that is protected by your patent, or by using your patent in a way you did not grant permission, are all types of patent infringements
● Infringing on your trademark – other individuals or companies that use your trademark either exactly without your permission, or purposely design their trademark to look like yours to get your business, are all ways that your trademark could be violated
● Copyright violations – stealing your written work, photographs, videos, or other protected works is very serious and can result in copyright violations that can be enforced and protected
● Selling Counterfeit Products – unscrupulous individuals or businesses that sell counterfeit products could be violating your patent and/or copyright, and if they use your logo, also your trademark. This is a huge problem that can result in serious business or product harm to you if a counterfeit product is inferior to your actual product (as is often the case).
What are Some Examples of IP Violations
There are several different ways that IP violations could take place, but some of the most specific examples include the following:
● Using your logo on a defendant’s product to help that product sell better
● Illegally copying or “burning” copies of your music or movies to sell second-hand or as a counterfeit
● Copying your writing or artwork and passing it off as their own
● Misappropriating trade secrets (with or without an employment agreement)
● Building products subject to your patent without your permission
● Selling or licensing your patent when the defendant does not have the right to do so, and
● Other improper or unlawful actions.
Protect Your IP Rights: Ask Our Lawyers for Help Today
The most important part of holding IP rights is defending them to ensure you profit from your hard work and spent money. Our intellectual property attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, at Paul & Paul can help you obtain IP rights and prosecute violators. Learn how we can help you during a FREE consultation by dialing (215) 568-4900 or by sending us a message with our easy-to-use contact us box available here. Together we can help ensure that your hard work is well-protected and benefits you and your family—not a violator.