How can I protect my intellectual property?

Protecting your intellectual property is important in Michigan and across the United States. The most common way to protect your intellectual property is by obtaining a copyright or trademark. A copyright gives you exclusive rights over a creative work such as a novel, poem, song, film, or artwork. A trademark protects a logo, slogan, name, or other “mark” associated with a business. Getting a copyright or trademark is not an instant process; it can take several months or even years. To get a copyright, you must submit an application to the U.S. Copyright Office. You must include a copy of the work that you are seeking to copyright. For a trademark, you must also submit an application to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The application must include a description of the mark and the goods or services it is associated with. You can also protect your intellectual property by filing a lawsuit against anyone who is using it without permission. This can be costly and time consuming, so it is recommended that you obtain a copyright and/or trademark first. Finally, you can protect your intellectual property by keeping it private. Do not share your work online or with too many people. If you do plan to make your work public, consider entering into a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with anyone you share it with. This will help prevent the disclosure of your intellectual property to others who do not have permission.

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How can I protect my intellectual property?

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