In this article, our copyright attorneys discuss the three general categories of intellectual property, that can be protected under U.S law: trademarks, copyrights, and patents. Trademarks protect a business' name, logo, or slogan from use by other businesses.  Patents protect a discovery, invention, or idea.  Copyrights protect original works of authorship such as writings, photos, music, movies, software, and architecture. Even though your copyright exists as soon as the work is created, we usually recommend registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright office.  You cannot file suit for copyright infringement until your copyright has been registered. In order to register your copyright, you must submit the proper application form along with a copy of the work to the U.S. Copyright office along with a fee for registration.

In this article, our Chicago trademark lawyers discuss current trademark laws. They are an important part of business that include symbols, words or any other device that distinguishes a businesses' services or products from others We explain what makes trademarks distinguishable enough to be protected, and explore other considerations that determine whether a trademark can be protected.

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In this article, our Chicago intellectual property attorneys can help your business with all of its legal needs. Having an attorney to represent you for your trademark, intellectual property or copyrighting is an important factor to protect your ideas, inventions and business practices. The 11 inflection points where business owners should consult their attorneys: incorporation, annual maintenance, contracts, investor agreements, dispute resolutions/litigation and collection, solutions for distressed business, exit strategies, estate planning.

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