Choose the best protection under intellectual property law in Tennessee

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 intellectual property in Tennessee. 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 or the United States Copyright Office.

Register your intellectual property under TN 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 intellectual property, in general, is registered at the federal level, you can also register trademarks at the state level. A trademark registered in Tennessee costs $20 and takes 3 days to process, while a federal trademark registration costs $320 and may take up to a year to process.

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 copyright, register through the United States Copyright Office. Review the USPTO Fee Information to find applicable registration fees. Register your trademark under Tennessee IP law at  the Tennessee Department of State.

Find a Tennessee intellectual property law firm to help you

It may be in your best interest to consult with intellectual patent attorneys in Tennessee for advice about protecting your intellectual property under Tennessee IP law. Tennessee patent laws, including Tennessee escrow laws, have nuances that are often best left to intellectual property law firms in Tennessee that are familiar with filing your type of technology.

I recommend: To find a Tennessee IP law firm, visit Lawyers.com or see Justia for Tennessee intellectual property lawyers. Learn more about trademarks law in TN at the Tennessee Board of Regents.