Essentials of Intellectual Property

The definitive primer on intellectual property for business professionals, non-IP attorneys, entrepreneurs, and inventors Full of valuable tips, techniques, illustrative real-world examples, exhibits, and best practices, the Second Edition of this handy and concise paperback will help you stay up to date on the newest thinking, strategies, developments, and case law in intellectual property. Presents fundamentals of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other less-know forms of IP, such as registered design and mask works Covers important concepts such as IP strategy, protection, audits, valuation, management, and competitive intelligence Offers an introduction to IP licensing and enforcement Now features discussion of critical precedent-setting recent IP cases and proposed patent reform Providing business professionals and IP owners with in-depth knowledge of this extremely important subject, this book helps those new to this field gain a better understanding and appreciation for the results of their creative abilities.

Foreword to the Second Edition vii Foreword to the First Edition xi Preface xv Author’s Note xix Acknowledgments xxi About the Authors xxiii Introduction: Setting the Stage xxv 1 The Big Three: Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights 1 2 The Supporting Players: Other Types of IP—Trade Secrets and Know-How, Mask Works, and Noncompetition and Nondisclosure Agreements 34 3 Protecting the Fruits of Your Research and Development 47 4 Know What You Have (IP Audit) and What the Other Guy Has (Competitive Intelligence) 54 5 What is It Worth? Putting a Value on Intellectual Property 70 6 Make More Money by Sharing (Licensing) 83 7 Corporate Officers and Directors Beware: You Can Be Liable for Mismanaging Intellectual Property 92 8 Enforcing Your Rights 104 9 The Fundamental Things Apply, As Time Goes By: Intellectual Property in Cyberspace 167 10 The Patent Portfolio and Its Effect on Stock Price 180 11 How the Courts Have Changed the Patent Law 185 12 Patent Reform 209 Appendixes Appendix A: Trademark and Service Mark Application 223 Appendix B: Copyright Application 231 Appendix C: Confidentiality and Nondisclosure Agreement 239 Appendix D: Invention Assignment Form 242 Appendix E: Basic IP Audit Questionnaire 247 Appendix F: Patent Valuation 249 Appendix G: Invention Disclosure Form 270 Appendix H: License Agreements 272 Bibliography 286 Further Reading 287 Index 289