Katy Trademark Attorneys & Lawyers

Generally, copyrights provide a monopoly on a work for the life of the author plus 70 years if the work was published in the U.S. after January 1, 1978. However, a simple question like how long a copyright will last should have a simple answer, but it doesn't. The answer depends on when the work was first published, where it was created, whether it was commissioned, and a few other factors.

Does the Creation Date Impact the Copyright Protection?

Yes. Generally speaking, copyright lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years if the work was published in the U.S. after January 1, 1978. If the work had more than one author, the “life of the author” is measured by the death of the last surviving author.

However, copyright protection can range from between 95 from the year of its first publication to 120 years after the year of its creation due to special circum

...

Pirates Beware! ISPs are cracking down on illegal downloads.

In the face of widespread online file sharing, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) such as AT&T, Cablevision Systems, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Verizon are implementing a “six-strike” plan to educate and eventually prevent pirates from downloading material.  You read that right—there are six strikes. The system is intended to target peer-to-peer file sharing websites, and not online lockers, such as Dropbox, or email attachments.

After the first offense is detected, the Internet subscriber will receive an email alert from their ISP saying that the subscriber account may have been used for “online co

...

Public Domain: What Is It?

Public domain refers to creative materials such as patent drawings that are not protected by copyright, trademark, patent, or any other intellectual property laws. The creative work is shared by the public and cannot be owned or protected by copyright laws.

A public-domain work may be used by anyone at any time without prior permission. A public-domain work can be used without cost. A creative work is considered public domain for any of the following reasons:

• Copyright is expired
• Copyright was never requested
• Copyright was de

...

Updated October 30, 2020:

Trademark Class 42 is a trademark class used by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This category includes technical or scientific services in relation to the practical and theoretical aspects of complex fields. These services would include those provided by engineers, chemists, computer programmers, physicists, and similar occupations. Class 42 also includes services provided by engineers undertaking research, estimates, evaluations, and reports in the technological and scientific fields as well as scientific medical research purposes.

Trademark Class 42 services include but are not limited to:

• Architectural consultation or services
• Oil-field exploitation analysis
• Artwork authenticating
• Biological research
• Bacteriological research
• Calibration
• Chemical analysis and research
• Cartography
• Chemistry se

...

What Is Trade Secret Protection?

Trade secret protection is regulated under the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA) to protect a person or company's profitable secrets. Trade secrets are protected without registration or any need for procedural formalities and can be protected for an unlimited time.

What Is a Trade Secret?

The protection of trade secrets is particularly attractive for small and medium-sized businesses. It's important to be aware that there are some conditions that need to be met for the information to be considered a trade secret.

Compliance with some of these conditions could turn out to be more difficult and costly than it may first appear. Conditions vary from country to country, but some general standards exist.

• It needs to be information such as a formula, pattern, compilation, program, device, method, technique, or process.
• It needs to hav

...