Everything is started with an idea. Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, such as inventions, literary and artistic works, designs as well as branding symbols, names and images.
Intellectual property (IP) is protected by US patents copyright and trademarks which enables people to earn recognition and/or financial benefit from what they have created.
The four main types of intellectual property are:
- Patents
For inventions – new and improved products and processes that are capable of industrial application. - Trademarks
For brand identity – of goods and services allowing distinctions to be made between different traders. - Designs for product appearance
Of the whole or a part of a product resulting from the features of, in particular, the lines, contours, colors, shape, texture or materials of the product itself or its ornamentation. - Copyright for material
Literary and artistic material, music, films, sound recordings and broadcasts, including software and multimedia.
As always, in every industry, there are thieves. Like the saying goes, copying is the highest form of flattery. Chances are, if someone is trying to steal your idea, it must be a good one.
What should you do if someone steals, copies or uses your intellectual property?
You should seek legal counsel immediately. If you were smart you should have gotten a patent, trade mark or copyright (depending on the medium).
One of the first steps, usually, is sending them a “Cease and Desist” letter which informs the user that the work is yours and that if it’s not taken down within a certain period of time, you will take legal action.
This is usually where we come in. Private investigators at the CMP Group conduct IP investigations in a number of ways.
- Forensics accounting
- Computer forensics (aiding with electronic discovery)
- Surveillance
- Undercover Work
Thomas Ruskin 