Intellectual property is a term used to describe trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyright. Protecting your intellectual property is an important part of your business, particularly if you are looking to trademark your business's name, symbol, motto, etc., or if your business is based on an invention or involves writing and producing original written works, music or video content.

The following resources provide an overview of intellectual property.

• Stop Fakes: Small Business
  Provides a comprehensive guide to intellectual property law, patents, trademarks and copyright for small businesses.

• Protecting Intellectual Property FAQs
  Lists answers to commonly-asked questions about patents, trademarks and copyright.

Basic Patent and Trademark Information

To patent an invention or register a trademark, you'll need to fill out an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The following guides provide more detail about registering patents and trademarks.

• How-To Guide to Patents and Trademarks
  Offers a how-to guide to all services of the Patent & Trademark office.

• Patent and Trademark FAQs
  Supplies a one-stop resource to get answers to questions about patents and trademarks.

Patents

• How to Get a Patent
  Provides a plain language guide to filing a patent application.

• Types of Patents
  Details types of patent applications.

• Patent Guidance, Tools and Manuals
  Offers directory guides, tools and manuals covering the patent application and review process.

• Patents FAQs
  Answers frequently asked questions about applying for a patent.

Trademarks

• Basic Facts About Trademarks
  Provides answers to frequently asked questions and essential information you need to know about filing a trademark application.

• Learn About the Trademark Application Process
  Gives a step-by-step guide to filing a trademark application.

• Madrid Protocol
  Explains how trademark owners are able to register in other countries by filing out a single application.

• Trademark Electronic Application System
  Allows businesses to officially file online by submitting a trademark application directly to the USPTO.

• Trademark FAQs
  List frequently asked questions about applying for a trademark.

Copyright

If your business involves creating original written works, music or videos, they are covered by copyright laws. Copyright is a form of protection provided to the authors of original works of authorship, both published and unpublished, for a limited period of time. Copyright is granted by the U.S. Copyright Office.

• Pre-Register Your Work
  Explains the pre-registration service intended for works that have had a history of prerelease infringement. The service focuses on the infringement of movies, recorded music and other copyrighted materials before copyright owners have had the opportunity to market fully their products.

• Copyright FAQs
  Lists answers to frequently asked questions about registering a copyright and copyright law.

• Copyright Forms
  Supplies copyright application forms.

• Copyright Circulars and Fact Sheets
  Offers circulars and fact sheets that provide basic information about registration, fees, compulsory licenses, and other aspects of the copyright process.

Trade Secrets

A trade secret is information that has value because it is not generally known and is the subject of efforts to keep it secret. State law protects against disgruntled ex-employees, sabotage by current employees, or simple carelessness about the risk and possible protections of your trade secrets. Protection for trade secrets does not expire, as it does for copyright. As long as the owner makes reasonable efforts to keep the information secret, the information is protected.

• Uniform Trade Secrets Act

Explain the Uniform Trade Secrets act, which has been passed in whole or in part by 45 states. For the specific provisions that apply to your business, consult a local attorney.

• Economic Espionage Act of 1996

Provides information on the Economic Espionage Act, which makes the theft or misappropriation of a trade secret a federal crime.

You can protect your trade secrets by requiring employees and others with whom you share the information to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). SCORE, which provides free online and face-to-face business counseling, mentoring, training, and advice for small businesses, offers the following resources on how to protect your trade secrets using a non-disclosure agreement.

• Protect Your Trade Secrets with a Nondisclosure Agreement
  Details information on how to protect your business's trade secrets using an NDA.