What kind of intellectual property do I need to protect my business?

If you’re doing business in California, the law requires you to protect your intellectual property. Intellectual property (IP) is your business’s assets—the things that make your business unique. It’s made up of creative works, such as logos and designs, as well as inventions and discoveries. To protect your business’s IP, you may need to register a copyright, a trademark, or a patent. A copyright protects your original works, such as a book, a song, a painting, or a software program. A trademark is a sign, symbol or phrase that distinguishes your company or product from others and can be a logo, slogan, or phrase. A patent is a form of exclusive right to an invention granted by the government. Other forms of IP protection include trade secrets and industrial design rights. Trade secrets are information including formulas, processes, or plans that give your business an advantage against its competitors. Industrial design rights protect the shape, pattern, or ornamentation of an industrial product. You can find more information about registering your copyright, trademark, or patent in your local public library, online, or through a lawyer who specializes in business formation law. Don’t forget to register your IP before launching your business, as these forms of protection help ensure that you own the rights to your creative works.

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What kind of intellectual property do I need to protect my business?

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