Bentonville, AR Intellectual Property Lawyer

    Speak to An Attorney Regarding Your Case

    Intellectual property is an extremely valuable tool for people and entities that operate a business. The use of copyrights, trademarks, patents, and other forms of intellectual property can benefit a company in a variety of ways. That is why it is important to understand your rights when it comes to managing intellectual property. If you need legal assistance to manage intellectual property for your business, you should consult with an experienced Bentonville intellectual property lawyer.

    At Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP, we are committed to providing you with the unique legal representation that you deserve for your business. Our firm recognizes how essential intellectual property is for a business, and we can help you protect your intellectual property. We have worked with businesses across Arkansas, and we would be proud to work with you. To schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case, contact Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP at (479) 439-9840. You may also use our online submission form to contact the firm.

    Types of Intellectual Property in Bentonville, AR

    There are various types of intellectual property in Bentonville, AR that a person or entity can utilize. It is important to understand the many types of intellectual property and how they can address your unique needs. The following is a list of the type of intellectual property and how they are utilized.

    Trademarks

    A trademark also referred to as a service mark, is a word or logo that can help identify the source of goods or services. Trademarks are vital because they help consumers distinguish between products and services. For example, if Clorox and Lysol used the same type of packaging for their products, this could confuse shoppers as to the source of the product.

    Trademarks can be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The creator of a trademark can use it in commerce; however, if the trademark is not registered with the USPTO, they will not receive the same protections. This means that the owner of the trademark may be unable to sue for all infringements of the trademark.

    It is important to note that similar trademarks can exist under certain circumstances. For example, if two companies in different industries use similar trademarks, this may not be enough to be considered infringement.

    Copyrights

    Copyrights are used to protect original works of authorship. For example, if you write a novel, your novel will be protected by copyright. Other forms of copyright include:

    • Architectural works
    • Paintings and sculptures
    • Musical works
    • Motion picture films and original scores of music for a film
    • Poems, blogs, and other literary works

    This is not an exhaustive list. There are certain works that cannot be protected by copyright. For example, business methods or ideas that are not documented cannot be afforded a copyright.

    It is important to note that a copyright is created from the moment that a person affixes their work in a tangible medium. For example, once a novelist begins to place their ideas on paper or a word processing system, they receive copyright protection.

    Registering your copyright with the United States Copyright Office will provide you with a greater amount of protection. For instance, if your original work is being utilized by another entity, you can sue for the profits procured by the infringement.

    Patents

    Patents are property rights that are awarded to inventors that create a new invention. There are three types of patents that an inventor can apply for:

    • Design patents – An inventor that creates a novel and unique design for a patent may be awarded a design patent.
    • Utility patents – Inventions of new manufacturing processes, matter compositions, or other similar inventions can be awarded for a utility patent.
    • Plant patents – Plant patents are awarded to inventors that create or discover a new type of plant life.

    Trade Secrets

    A trade secret is valuable information that is not generally available to the public. Trade secrets can consist of a wide variety of information from the use of certain processes to the confidentiality of client lists.

    Unlike other forms of intellectual property, trade secrets cannot be registered with an agency to protect them from being leaked. Instead, many companies resort to the use of employment contracts. For example, a non-disclosure agreement could be used to prevent a former employee from leaking information to competitors. Violation of an employment agreement will open up a person to a lawsuit for infringement of the agreement.

    There are other forms of intellectual property that are not discussed above. Our firm recognizes the importance of protecting intellectual property from infringement, and we are here to represent you. If you believe that your intellectual property was infringed in Bentonville, AR, we can help you explore your legal options to pursue compensation for your losses.

    Work with Our Experienced Bentonville, AR Intellectual Property Attorney to Discuss Your Claim

    If you require legal assistance to manage your intellectual property, you should consult with an experienced Bentonville intellectual property attorney today. The legal team at Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP, has decades of legal experience handling intricate intellectual property claims, and we would be honored to use this experience to work for you. Protecting original creations for a business is important, and we are to handle your intellectual property needs. To schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your case, contact Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP at (479) 439-9840. You may also contact the firm online.