Hot Topics in Intellectual Property

Learn IP fundamentals and the key issues being debated today.

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Intellectual property is not just the domain of a hired lawyer, but rather it is an integral part of the strategy behind launching any new business venture. Patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets -- all of these aspects of IP are embedded into the overall...

Navigating the PTAB: A Primer on The Patent Trial and Appeal Board

By: The Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property Executive Editor: Mark E. Michels, Esq., Lecturer, Santa Clara School of Law Ten years ago Congress passed the America Invents Act (AIA). One AIA goal was to create an expedient and less costly patent dispute...

What is the Freedom to Operate?

In this article, we explore common questions about the FTO. We’ll also provide examples of the FTO in action and share tips on conducting searches and mitigating risks.

IP for Social Media Influencers and Content Creators

Social media influencers and content creators work hard to build a reputation of expertise for specific topics, brands and industries. In fact, the influencer marketing industry is projected to be worth $15 billion by 2022 and currently accounts for roughly 15 percent...

Can You Apply for a Patent Without Legal Assistance?

The cost of hiring a patent attorney can be prohibitive to many individual inventors, students, and startups. While the patent application process can be lengthy and complex, it is possible to apply for a patent without an attorney. There are many advantages and...

How (and Why) to File a Provisional Patent Application

In this post, we’ll discuss why provisional patent applications are useful and explain what the PPA process entails. First, let’s break down the definition of a provisional patent application.

How to Strengthen Your Patent

The primary goal of a patent is to secure exclusive rights to produce and sell your invention or license others to do so. If you cannot enforce it, your patent is not very valuable. This article discusses ways you can strengthen the value and enforceability of your patent.

Understanding the Balance of Traditional IP Rights and Open Access Initiatives

Why would one choose protecting intellectual property (IP) that one could potentially profit from rather than making it freely available? Are there types of IP that should be more publicly accessible? These are complex questions continuing to be explored and debated as our innovation economy and information sharing capacity rapidly evolves.

Basics of IP Blog Series #1: What Can Be Patented?

This is Part 1 of our ‘Basics of IP’ blog series. The following has been adapted from “Can I Patent That?”, a Michelson IP animated short.

Joint Authorship and Work for Hire Agreements: Select Case Studies

If you’re working with others on projects where intellectual property (IP) may be developed in the process, you’ll likely want to take into account issues of joint authorship and work for hire. In this blog post, we’ll explain some of the fundamentals, and share a few examples of cases where these issues may be involved.

I Can Copyright That? Everyday Works to Consider

When people think of copyrights they often think about books, songs, and movies – but you don’t have to be an author, musician, or filmmaker to be concerned with copyrights. There are many items, particularly those created in the course of business, that can also be protected.

Introducing the Intellectual Property Canvas

Developed by our friends at the Zürich University of Applied Science (ZHAW) School of Management and Law in Switzerland and led by Dr. Ben Graziano, the Intellectual Property (IP) Canvas is a strategic management tool devised to help startups efficiently gain insight into how IP operates within their business.