Choose the best protection under intellectual property laws in California

To protect your intellectual property, first decide what type it is. Trademarks refer to a name, phrase, or logo that identifies your business. It can include words only, a particular look or font or even a color scheme. A copyright protects the specific form in which your ideas are recorded and is used to protect literary and artistic works. Finally, patents protect your inventions and are used for physical devices or abstract concepts, such as computer software algorithms or business methods.

I recommend: Start with the Intellectual Property Center of FindLaw, which outlines the basics of intellectual property and offers a wide menu of topics to help you begin to register your State of California intellectual property. The Intellectual Property Resource Center of Netpreneur is also an excellent resource for your initial research. Review the helpful information at the United States Patent and Trademark Office and learn about California intellectual property at the Berkeley Digital Library.

Register your intellectual property under CA intellectual property law to protect your business

It is essential for your small business to patent your ideas or register your trademarks or copyrights. This allows your small business to access the full power of the courts in protecting your valuable assets. Although patents and copyright are registered federally, you may register your trademark both in California and federally.

I recommend: Check the Trademark Electronic Search System to ensure your proposed trademark is not registered, then register online through the Trademark Electronic Application System. For your federal copyright, register through the United States Copyright Office. Although intellectual property is mostly dictated by federal registration, you may also register your trademark or service mark in California through the California Business Portal.

Find intellectual property lawyers in CA to help guide you

You can learn more about California trademark law by reading the California Business Code, but it may be in your best interest to consult with intellectual property lawyers in California for advice about protecting your intellectual property. California patent law, including California escrow laws, has nuances which are often best left to a California intellectual property law firm that is familiar with filing your type of technology.

I recommend: Read the California Business Code about trademarks and trade names  or learn more about California trademarks at Registering A Trademark.com. To find a trademark lawyer in California like Costello Law Corporation in Sacramento, visit Lawyers.com .