IP Topics
IP Topics.
An overview of the six main areas of intellectual property law, from obtaining rights to licensing and enforcing them.
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Patents
How patents protect inventions, from patentability and USPTO examination to licensing and enforcement.
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Trademarks
How names and logos become protectable trademarks, and how they are cleared, registered, and enforced.
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Copyrights
How copyright applies to software, content, designs, and media, including ownership and registration.
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Trade Secrets
How Texas and federal law protect confidential information, including employee departures and misappropriation.
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Transactions and Licensing
How intellectual property is licensed, assigned, and reviewed in acquisitions and investments.
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IP Litigation
How intellectual property disputes are heard in Texas state and federal courts and relevant administrative forums.
The four kinds of intellectual property often overlap. A licensing deal may combine patent rights, trade secret know-how, and a trademark license, and a dispute that starts with a demand letter may end in federal court. Each topic page explains how its area connects to the others.