NAVIGATING THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LANDSCAPE: A PRIMER FOR NEW BUSINESSES AND BUSINESSES READYING A NEW PRODUCT/SERVICE LAUNCH

Protecting a company’s intellectual property, including its inventions, brands, writings, trade secrets, and know-how, is often essential to grow and establish a competitive advantage.  This article is an intellectual property law primer for a business readying to launch a new product or service.  Various forms of intellectual property protection a business should consider are described, including steps to guard against possible infringement claims.  The article aims to ensure that a startup business or an established company releasing a new product or service can successfully attract capital investment and gain a competitive edge in the market. It describes patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, including examples, and is reprinted with permission from: Bright Ideas Newsletter, Winter 2015, Vol. 24, No. 3, published by the New York State Bar Association, One Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207.