Washington DC Intellectual Property Lawyer

Your company’s intellectual property (IP) is some of its most valuable assets. Not only does it grant you the exclusive rights to produce certain products, distribute copies of written documents, or use trademarks, but intellectual property also allows you to pursue damages if another company infringes on these rights.

Proper protection of intellectual property is a constant process. In addition to securing patents, copyright, and trademarks upon starting a company, it is essential to be able to identify infringements on those rights and demand appropriate compensation.

A Washington DC intellectual property lawyer could help your start-up in both these areas. Our skilled attorneys could work with you through the trademark or copyright process as well as handle any legal challenges that may arise over your IP.

Helping Start-Ups to Register Intellectual Property

Taking the appropriate steps at the local and national level to protect a company’s intellectual property is a prerequisite to going into business. Even before a company drafts articles of incorporation or initiates a partnership agreement, they must take steps to secure their legal rights. Applying for a patent, copyright, or trademark is an essential part of this process.

A Trademark is the exclusive right to use an identifiable image connected to the company, such as a logo or sign. Copyright is the ability to make copies of original written content such as a book, movie, or computer code. Finally, a patent gives the holder the exclusive rights to make, use, or sell an original invention.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) oversees the analysis and awarding of intellectual property across the nation. In addition, the Mayor’s Office in Washington DC can grant similar local protections. A Washington DC attorney could help small businesses to take the necessary steps to obtain intellectual property protections before starting operations.

Protecting the Rights of IP Holders While in Business

Obtaining intellectual property rights through the USPTO or District is only part of how an attorney from our firm in Washington DC could help. Even after a start-up begins operations, they must keep track of their IP to ensure enforcement at both the local and federal levels.

Intellectual property infringement gives the owners of the IP a civil cause of action to demand compensation. 35 U.S. Code § 271 defines patent infringement as any unauthorized use, sale, or offer to sell another’s intellectual property. Additionally, 35 U.S.C. § 281 states that the holders of IP can demand remedies from infringers. These remedies may include monetary damages, an injunction demanding an immediate halt to the infringement, destruction of illegal copies, and attorneys’ fees.

Pursuing civil lawsuits after intellectual property infringement is another way in which our legal team could help small businesses. An attorney from our firm could take the lead in discovering infringement, sending cease and desist letters, and demanding appropriate remedies in and out of court.

Speak with a Washington DC Intellectual Property Attorney

Some of the most valuable property that a start-up or small business owns is its intellectual property. However, a company only owns these assets if they move to protect them under both local and federal patent laws. A Washington DC intellectual property lawyer could submit the appropriate applications and defend your intellectual property throughout the life of your business. Reach out to one of our IP attorneys today to learn how they are ready to help protect your company’s most valuable assets now and in the future. Please note that Jay Gupta does not handle patent law cases.