Our attorneys at Omni Law, P.C. have knowledge of intellectual property laws. If you are thinking of starting a business, sitting down with our attorneys can make a huge difference. Intellectual property (IP) protection is crucial for startups to set a firm foundation protecting their innovations and setting a competitive edge. The different aspects of IP include trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets. As a startup business, an IP lawyer can help navigate the intricacies of any of these to protect your product from the beginning and work with you as your business grows from dealing with trademark registration or working with patent examiners. It is best to contact our firm in the early stages to ensure everything is done properly.
Building a Foundation for Your Startup through Protecting What Matters Most
This article explains the different fields of intellectual property and how to identify the right avenues your startup business should explore to protect your business and creations. Below we explain the 3 avenues worth exploring to find what will secure your business, staff, innovation, and market sustainability.
Patents
Patents protect inventions and allow startups to thrive by preventing other companies from manufacturing or re-selling their patented invention. This is enforced for a limited time, usually 20 years. Patents can be a driving force for emerging businesses bringing new innovations to market. However, this patented information enters the public domain after the patent expires. The patent application process itself can also require disclosing details early.
Trademarks
If a startup wants to protect the names of products, logos, slogans, and other brand or company identifiers, it should explore trademarking. Trademarks can help startups build brand recognition and credibility from the ground up and throughout their lifetime. The application process is faster and less costly than patents. However, trademarks only protect identifiers, not inventions or creative works.
Copyrights
protect original creative works like writings, artwork, software code, etc. Copyright protection arises automatically upon the creation of a work with no registration required, though registration strengthens one’s rights. Copyrights last much longer than patents but do not protect ideas, procedures, or inventions. Copyright laws are a little more complex than you might think, and it is best to get a better understanding on them.
Trade Secrets
This area includes protection for any information within your business that is confidential and highly valuable and integral to the brand’s unique selling value; and therefore integral to your product’s long-term success. This includes data, formulas, methods, techniques, and anything you might claim is your “secret sauce”. Startups should implement confidentiality agreements with employees and third parties and security measures to maintain trade secrecy.
Knowing When to Protect and What to Protect: Speak to an Experienced IP Attorney
Navigating the intellectual property needs of your business can be challenging while managing the already high demands for developing a successful business at those early stages. Resources can be limited, but time and energy should be dedicated to your protection. An attorney who deals in intellectual property can guide you through those early years to secure what you have and protect you as you grow in ways you may not be aware of; such as freedom-to-operate (FTO) searches and develop a solid IP strategy aligned with business goals, proactively protecting the potential loss of rights to their creation and save time and funds in the long run.
Finding the Right Balance: Protecting Your Creation while Protecting Your Funds
As the company grows, revisiting the IP strategy regularly can secure the growth, expansion, and evolution of a business and its innovations or services. Maintaining confidentiality and ensuring employee and partner agreements including IP assignment and non-disclosure clauses is essential even in the early stages. With the right IP moves and contractual protections, startups can securely elevate their creative and innovative visions.
The key is finding the right balance between protecting intellectual assets and the agility required for rapid growth. Setting an intelligent IP protection strategy and framework from the start enables startups to build value by shielding their innovations while continuing to move fast. Each company needs to create their roadmap to achieve their unique goals.
In Need of an Experienced IP Attorney?
Omni Law P.C. offers adaptable and affordable legal services to companies, innovators, and entrepreneurs in both Los Angeles and New York. We strive to protect businesses, from startups to large corporations, by offering expert counsel vital for growth. Whether drafting agreements, registering trademarks, or drafting agreements, our strategic legal advice is customized per your unique business needs. To find out how to secure your business goals at any stage of growth, contact Omni Law P.C. today at (323) 300-4184.
