intellectualproperty

When to Use Trade Secrets Rather than Patents

Published on: September 1, 2020 | By Hart David Carson LLP

If you’re a small business with an invention, process, formula, or similar type of intellectual property, you may balk at the cost of patenting it. In some cases, keeping it as a trade secret may be a preferable option to filing for a patent.

Difference between Trade Secrets and Patents

Patents are official government licenses that give you exclusive rights to profit off of your inventions for a set period of time. It covers such items as manufacturing, reverse engineering, or selling your invention.

Advantages and Drawbacks of Patents

Published on: August 7, 2020 | By Hart David Carson LLP

Protecting your company’s intellectual property is a top priority, but finding the best way to do so may be a challenge. When it comes to safeguarding inventions, one of the available options is to file for a patent.

Patents are granted through the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in order to allow you the exclusive right to produce, make, use, or sell an invention. They last for 20 years, during which those exclusive rights are legally enforceable.

Advantages of Patents

How Long Do IP Protections Last?

Published on: July 11, 2020 | By Hart David Carson LLP

Some types of intellectual property have limits on how long they can be covered by IP protection laws. The length of time these protections last depends on the type of IP, such as whether it’s copyrighted material, patented inventions, or trademarks. The steps you take to protect them may also come into play.

Here, we’ll look at how long IP protections last for most types of intellectual property.

Copyrights

Should I Donate My Patents?

Published on: June 15, 2020 | By Hart David Carson LLP

The pandemic has prompted various companies to donate patents to research facilities and similar organizations in order to help combat the coronavirus. While donating patents to research organizations and universities can accomplish something truly good for society, it needs to be done responsibly.

A Chance to Do Something Good – If Done Wisely

Often, businesses will hold patents for inventions that they aren’t currently using or developing. They may not find it worthwhile to maintain these patents themselves, in which case they have the option of donating them to nonprofit organizations.

Do I Have a Case if I Get Sick at the Hospital?

Published on: June 3, 2020 | By Hart David Carson LLP

Given the concentration of illness present at many healthcare facilities, it’s important for them to take stringent measures to prevent the spread of disease such as COVID-19 and common hospital infections. If you fall seriously ill as a result of being treated at a hospital, you may have a case, though there are factors that could keep you from recovering damages.

Note that during the coronavirus pandemic in Illinois, any healthcare facility that provides care or assistance for those who have contracted COVID-19 has some immunity to liability, so if your illness dates to this time, you likely won’t be able to recover damages.

Cases Involving Medical Infections

COVID-19 and Intellectual Property

Published on: June 1, 2020 | By Hart David Carson LLP

Most facets of life have been impacted by COVID-19, including the way we handle intellectual property. From enforcing IP protections to safeguarding trade secrets, the pandemic has introduced a number of changes.

Impact on IP Used in Remote Business Operations

For companies that have transitioned to remote work-forces, the way trade secrets and other sensitive information is protected has to adapt. Many businesses have had to adjust their current IP protection policies and implement new technologies and practices in order to keep trade secrets safe when being used by home-based employees.

How COVID-19 May Impact Your Estate Planning

Published on: May 8, 2020 | By Hart David Carson LLP

With the turmoil caused by the widespread pandemic, it has become paramount for many people to look to the future well-being of their families. While the current situation seems like it may begin clearing up soon, it still poses a challenge for many people, and there’s still plenty of worry to go around.

Making sure your estate plan is up to date is perhaps more important now than ever before, but the way estate planning is handled during this time will have to take current social distancing policies and financial issues into account.

Remote Notarization

Advantages and Drawbacks of Licensing Intellectual Property

Published on: January 2, 2020 | By Hart David Carson LLP

Your business’s intellectual property is among its most valuable assets, and it’s important to protect it. However, there may be instances where it is advantageous to let other entities make use of your patents, trademarks, and other IP.

Licensing your intellectual property can yield various benefits to your business, but it does come with its risks as well.

Advantages of Licensing