Intellectual property is a valuable asset for a business. When a company licenses its IP out to other businesses, it can gain a competitive advantage and also reap the benefits of a lucrative, passive revenue stream. When dealing with IP, most business owners immediately think of patents. Patents cover inventions…
Articles Posted in Intellectual Property
Business Litigation – Fact vs. Fiction
Despite the fact that everyone is entitled to their day in the court, the reality is that most cases are resolved out of court. Many clients will approach their lawyers with the hope that they will be able to quickly get in front of a judge and explain their story—a…
Protecting Personal Information
It seems almost once a week there is data breach in the news-Facebook, Experian, Target, Delta Airlines. The list goes on and on. San Jose business owners have a legal obligation to protect their customers’ personal information (also called Personally Identifiable Information or PII). Every business, regardless of the size,…
What are Securities Laws?
Securities law is something you might hear in the news because of some violation or in relation to white-collar crime. With the wild ride that the stock market, including the gradual introduction of permissible, legal trading of cryptocurrencies (like bitcoin) and tokens from initial coin offerings (“ICO’s”), has securities laws…
Protecting My Intellectual Property
Palo Alto business owners are faced with heavy competition in the Silicon Valley, all of which are looking for the best practices, methods, and trade secrets. Some of a company’s most valuable assets can be found in your intellectual property. Each year intellectual property theft costs businesses billions of dollars.…
What’s the Best Way to Protect Consumer Data?
In the tech-rich culture of San Jose, protection of intellectual property and consumer data is a constant concern for business owners. How can owners invoke legal protection for these assets in order to protect their legal interests and reassure customers that their data is secure? The answer depends upon the…
Are Non Compete Agreements Enforceable in California?
In the innovative and competitive culture of the California job market, intellectual property rights are valuable and fiercely guarded. Many employers favor agreements which prohibit their employees from disclosing trade secrets or working for their competitors. Unfortunately, many of these agreements are wholly unenforceable by a California court of law.…
When Should I Have My Employees Sign A Non-Disclosure Agreement?
California is one of the most innovative and creative job markets in the world. Every year, advances in a wide variety of industries reach consumers as a direct result of work done by California employees. Fashion, entertainment, technology – these are just a few of the many industries which develop…
The US Patent Process
Applying for a patent can be complex and time-consuming. People who aren’t familiar with the process can run into hurdles that lead to delays and higher costs. If you’re thinking about applying for a patent, here are a few important questions to consider. Keep in mind, this is a high-level…