Full Description
Do you have a great idea for the next big thing, an eye-catching new corporate logo, or an exciting new business concept? Understand how to safeguard your ideas and creations with this expert guide to the fundamentals of intellectual property. Walking you step-by-step through the processes involved in protecting your great ideas, this book offers all the advice you need to ensure that you're the only one cashing in on your creativity and hard work.
Contents
Forewords xix
Introduction 1
Part I: Covering Your Assets: Intellectual Property Basics 7
Chapter 1: Examining the Tools in Your IP Box 9
Chapter 2: Protecting Your Intellectual Property 19
Chapter 3: Dealing with Professionals and Picking Up the Tab 31
Part II: Patenting Your Product 41
Chapter 4: Understanding Patents and How They Work 43
Chapter 5: Testing the Water Before You Apply for a Patent 53
Chapter 6: Conducting a Patent Search 61
Chapter 7: Preparing Your Patent Application 73
Chapter 8: Filing Your Patent Application 99
Chapter 9: Prosecuting Your Patent Application 113
Chapter 10: Entering the Home Stretch: Getting Your Patent Granted 131
Part III: Knowing Your Copyright 139
Chapter 11: Protecting Your Designs 141
Chapter 12: Entering the Whimsical World of Copyright 153
Chapter 13: Untangling Ownership Issues 169
Part IV: Making Your Mark: Protecting Your Brand Identity 177
Chapter 14: Solving Your Identity Crisis 179
Chapter 15: Creating the Next Household Name 193
Chapter 16: Conducting an Availability Search 205
Chapter 17: Establishing and Registering Your Trade Marks 219
Part V: Exploiting and Enforcing Your IP Rights 233
Chapter 18: All Abroad: Protecting Your IP Rights in Other Countries 235
Chapter 19: Making 'em Pay: Licensing Your IP Rights 251
Chapter 20: Nailing the Bad Guys (The Infringers) 265
Part VI: The Part of Tens 275
Chapter 21: Ten Patent Application Pitfalls 277
Chapter 22: Ten Common Copyright Questions 281
Chapter 23: Ten Naming Blunders to Avoid 285
Chapter 24: Ten Great IP Resources 289
Appendix: Sample Patent Applications 293
Index 307
