When you come up with a creative idea, you must know how to protect it. This helps you avoid hassles if someone attempts to steal that idea or use it in a different way. You might come up with an idea for a video game complete with dialogue and characters only to find that someone else releases a game before or after you with the same ideas. There usually isn’t anything you can do to stop that person from stealing your work unless you know how to protect it. Learn the best ways to protect any type of intellectual property.
What is Intellectual Property?
Intellectual property or IP refers to intangible assets, which are things that you cannot touch. The Walt Disney Company owns all of the characters from the company’s movies, cartoons, video games, and TV shows. No one can use any of those characters without the company’s consent. Disney has an anti-piracy clause in place that allows the company to file suit against anyone who uses any of their IP. If you have any type of IP that you want to keep safe from others, you should consider some of the top ways to protect it.
Copyright Your Work
Copyrighting your work is one of the best ways to keep it safe. You need to register your work and pay a small fee. The copyright stays with you and your company. It will only expire 70 years after you pass away. The IP will go to your spouse, children, dependents, or anyone you name in your will. Copyrighting your work gives you the chance to dispute any ownership claims that another person or organization brings up. You must complete a form and file it with the US Copyright Office.
Get a Trademark
The US Patent and Trademark Office is responsible for helping people and organizations obtain trademarks for their work. You should hire an agency or an attorney first to launch an IP investigation. This gives you proof that you own the work in question and makes the process of getting a trademark much easier. Trademarks often apply to any of the brandings that you use. If you come up with a typeface for your book, you can get a trademark on it. It’s also possible to trademark slogans, logos, and colors. For example, Home Depot has a trademark on its signature orange color. T-Mobile also has a trademark on its magenta shade.
Register All Names
No matter what you plan to do with your creative ideas and IP, always register any and all names associated with it. Now is a good time to register the domain name you want to use. This keeps someone else from nabbing that domain and charging you a high fee later to buy it. Alternatively, If you are opening a dispensary and are searching for a domain name and have to buy it from someone, a marijuana trademark lawyer can help you with the process of purchasing the domain. The lawyers will help you understand the legal terms and ensure the seller and buyer comply with the rules; follow here to learn more. It enables you to set up clear grounds for purchase and secure your domain name.
Many domain services also allow you to set up email addresses that go along with the site. If someone tries to use your brand or name before you launch, you can show that you had the idea first.
Keep Trade Secrets Safe and Secure
Trade secrets refer to any of the concepts or ideas your business uses that you want to keep secret. Corporate espionage is often common and results in companies stealing ideas from others. They can even send in undercover workers to find those secrets. Make sure that you keep your data secure and make backup copies such as storing information in the cloud and using password-protected external hard drives or servers. You can also ask anyone who works for you to sign a non-disclose agreement. Also known as an NDA, this document explains what they can and cannot do and what will happen if they violate your agreement.
Conclusion
While some ideas are barely worth the time it takes to write them down, others can earn you quite a bit of money. The only way to ensure that the money stays with you and that others cannot use your IP is when you learn how to protect it. Even beginners can easily find ways to keep their data safe and away from prying eyes. Some of the best ways to protect your intellectual property include using trademarks and copyrights for your ideas, registering any names you want to use, and keeping your trade secrets locked down.
