Top 10 Questions on Intellectual Property

I have been searching the "layman's term" of Intellectual Property and its really quite vague once you search on google. But i'm glad i stumbled one of the video sharingwebsite and i found this guy Michael N. Cohen. Thanks for my speedtyping skills and my splendid hearing i have been able to transcribed of what he says.

Michael is an Intellectual Property Attorney with more than 7 years experience and filed more than a hundred patents, trademarks and intellectual property litigation.
Question No 1: "What is Intellectual Property?"

MNC: Intellectual property deals with the intangible. People thinks it deals with "smart" property. But oppose to the real estate law, real property you're dealing with concept such as patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, we're dealing with intangible property.

Question No. 2: "What is 'Patent'?"

MNC: There are various definitions but primarily congress has allowed inventors to have exclusive rights to exclude others from using their inventions. Patents protect inventions primarily. That's the number one reason for getting a patent and gives the inventor to have exclusive right to that invention for a period of 20 years.
Question No. 3: "What is a 'copyright'?"

MNC: A copyright is the original work of authorship and generally that protects books, movies, music.

Question No 4: "What is a 'trademark'?"
MNC: A trademark protects the source of origin of a product, goods and services.So primarily it deals with names, logos or designs.The term of the trademark last indefinitely as long as it is being used in commerce.
Question No 5:"What is a 'service mark'?"

MNC:It is similar to a trademark with the exception of goods, it is used in services.
Question No. 6: "What is a 'trade secret'?"

MNC: Is a form of Intellectual Property that protects confidential information, there is no specific filing for it but certain steps must be met in order to maintain the confidentiality.

Question No. 7: "How can i protect my Intellectual Property rights?"

MNC:If your IP has been infringed You should seek IP attorney to consult with to determine what is exactly happened, what form of IP has infringed, your patents, trademarks, copyrights etc.and from there he will advise you.

Question No. 8:"Where do i go to protect my IP rights?"

MNC: It depends on where IP is. For patents and trademarks the administrative bodies the United States Patent and Trademark Office. For copyrights the United States Copyright Office.
Question No. 9: "What is registered patent attorney?"

MNC:Is someone who has a technical background specifically an undergraduate or graduate degree in the sciences and is also sat and passed the federal patent board examination.


Question No. 10:"If i have an intellectual property matter, do i have to use a registered patent attorney?"

MNC: If you do need a lawyer for IP matter you don't necessary have to seek a patent attorney although it depends on the situation is, If you are having a patent infringement issue then its probably advisable to have a registered patent attorney. If copyright of trademark matter you don't need a registered patent attorney.



Thanks to:

Michael N. Cohen, ESQ
Intellectual Property Attorney
www.patentlawIp.com