Table Of Content“ A reliable, easily comprehended introduction
to intellectual property law.”
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Patent,
SOLD
Copyright
& Trademark
An Intellectual Property Desk Reference
• Learn what works are protected
• Understand IP terms and definitions
Attorney Richard Stim,
author of the Dear Rich blog • Get sample forms and filing instructions
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16th Edition
Patent,
Copyright
& Trademark
An Intellectual Property Desk Reference
Attorney Richard Stim
LAW for ALL
SIXTEENTH EDITION APRIL 2020
Cover Design SUSAN PUTNEY
Book Design SUSAN PUTNEY
Proofreading IRENE BARNARD
Index THÉRÈSE SHERE
Printing BANG PRINTING
ISSN: 2326-3946 (print)
ISSN: 2332-4368 (online)
ISBN: 978-1-4133-2776-2 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-4133-2777-9 (ebook)
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Dedication
This book is dedicated to Steve Elias, who passed away in 2012. Steve wrote
and edited the first three e ditions at a time when intellectual property was
just beginning to surface in mainstream media. His contributions to the legal
self-help movement were crucial to its success and the world is a different place
for his efforts.
About the Author
Richard Stim is an attorney specializing in intellectual property and the author of
several other intellectual property books, including Getting Permission: Using &
Licensing Copyright Protected Materials Online & Off (Nolo); Music Law: How to
Run Your Band’s Business (Nolo); and Profit From Your Idea: How to Make Smart
Licensing Deals (Nolo). He answers intellectual property questions at his blog,
Dear Rich (www.dearrichblog.com).
Table of Contents
Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................1
Intellectual Property Law: The Basics ...................................................................2
Determining What Rights Apply to Your Work ..............................................2
Part 1: Patent Law ........................................................................................................................7
Patent Law: Overview ...................................................................................................9
Patent Law: Definitions .............................................................................................19
Patent Law: Forms ......................................................................................................155
Patent Application Basics ......................................................................................155
Preparing a Design Patent Application ...........................................................173
Part 2: Copyright Law...........................................................................................................177
Copyright Law: Overview .......................................................................................179
Copyright Law: Definitions ....................................................................................191
Copyright Law: Forms ..............................................................................................349
Preparing a Copyright Application ...................................................................349
Preparing an Electronic (eCO) Copyright Application ...........................350
Preparing a Traditional Print Copyright Application ..............................353
Part 3: Trademark Law ........................................................................................................365
Trademark Law: Overview .....................................................................................367
Trademark Law: Definitions ..................................................................................379
Trademark Law: Forms ............................................................................................499
Preparing a Federal Trademark Application ................................................499
The Trademark Application: the TEAS System .........................................500
Example of a TEAS Plus Application ................................................................505
Part 4: Trade Secret Law ......................................................................................................513
Trade Secret Law: Overview .................................................................................515
Trade Secret Law: Definitions ..............................................................................519
Trade Secret Law: Forms .........................................................................................571
Preparing a Nondisclosure Agreement ...........................................................571
Index ................................................................................................................................583
Introduction
A
photographer questions why an advertising agency can copy her
photographs without permission. An inventor is disappointed to
learn that he cannot stop a foreign manufacturer from making his
patented invention. A woman named Tiffany doesn’t understand why she
can’t name her vintage clothing and jewelry store, Tiffany’s Trifles.
Welcome to the world of intellectual property.
Writers, inventors, and artists transform ideas into tangible property.
When this property qualifies under law for protection it’s known as
intellectual property (or IP)—for example, patents, copyrights, trademarks,
and trade secrets. Creators of IP are granted certain rights. For example, the
author of a book can prevent others from copying it; and the owner of a
patented invention can prevent others from making, using, or selling the device.
After a time, these exclusive rights may be lost or taken from the owner
and given to the public. For example, copyright protection has ended for
Mark Twain and anyone is free to copy his books Huckleberry Finn and
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The patent on the original roller blade
invention has expired and companies are now free to copy the device.
But not all products of the mind can achieve protection under
intellectual property law. Determining what can be protected and why
used to be the exclusive domain of patent, copyright, and trademark
lawyers. Unfortunately, few businesses, nonprofits, or educational
institutions can afford to call an attorney with every question. And lately,
there are a lot of questions. Globalization, digital data, and the Internet
have all contributed to a greater-than-ever need for information about IP.
But intellectual property is not an inscrutable discipline.
Anybody can understand the basics. This book is proof that IP law is
not a mystery. For over 20 years, engineers, scientists, businesspeople,
academics, and attorneys have used this book as a reference for
understanding basic patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret
principles. This helpful desk reference has evolved to include hundreds
of definitions, statutes, forms, and bits of how-to information about
protecting and preserving intellectual property.
