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Step 1
Consult the Intellectual Property Owners Association to understand the importance of protecting your projects (see Resources below). This organization lobbies in Washington, D.C., and across the United States for intellectual-property rights. The IPOA also provides resources for new inventors, writers and artists looking for information on protecting their projects.
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Step 2
Seek advice from an intellectual-property lawyer before putting your material expression out for public consumption. These experts can advice you on the best approach to protecting your projects while maintaining your distribution and sales rights. You can find an experienced lawyer through the American Intellectual Property Law Association Web site (see Resources below).
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Step 3
Utilize the copyright process for artistic or literary endeavors. Copyright laws protect published and unpublished books, music and software from use by others without the creator's consent. These laws also provide the ability of copyright holders to distribute, display and utilize their work as they wish. Read more about your rights at the U.S. Copyright Office Web site (see Resources below).
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Step 4
Apply for a patent if your intellectual property is a mechanical or electronic invention. Patent applications require specifications, samples and diagrams to demonstrate that your project is distinct from others protected by the law. You can apply online through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (see Resources below).
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Step 5
Reserve your legal rights to an image, slogan or phrase by applying for a trademark. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has an interactive database to help inventors and artists determine if their project is distinct enough for legal protection (see Resources below). You can also apply for a trademark online.
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Step 6
Ensure that your intellectual property is protected legally through renewal forms and amendments. Copyrights, trademarks and patents last for decades, but they do eventually expire and require renewal to maintain your legal rights. If you're an inventor, you should apply for patents to improve upon past inventions to consolidate your hold on your material expression.













Comments
behappy said
on 8/19/2008 This was a good read. Thanks - Behappy
future1 said
on 7/4/2008 FUTURE Is my life 12 Years people ideas gobal FUTURE stolen ..
what would you do if you were me ..
Any help ..Im 1 person In bismarck ND Fighting for the Global rights of people and countries To use the word FUTURE For their own ideas .Need help .People Global FUTURE a world FUTURE built on people Countries ideas Stolen By Fraud caover ups set ups Fraud agreement of sept 2004 . see .. what would you do if you were me I need investers , Law Firm To file a law suite vs.. NY Law firm NY Corp Global Fraud agreement of sept 2004 . In Year 2000 you aplyed for all people all countries to use the word FUTURE For their own ideas all Your ideas You life people Life ideas FUTURE being stolen By and you were attack By Oliver Chantecaille VP A man Chantecaille Beaute Inc Of NY Their Phone number is 1-212-222-3003-aplyed after you used his law Firm Ostrolenk ,Faber ,gerb & Soffen LLP Of NY To Use ..