In the attached 2016 report, the U.S. Department of Commerce details the relationship between Intellectual Property (I.P.) and the U.S. economy. In short, I.P. is an integral part of, and makes a major impact on, the U.S. economy. On a smaller scale, many companies thrive on, and can only survive on, the value of its I.P. portfolio. With this in mind, prudent professionals and entrepreneurs alike are wise to incorporate I.P. law into their decision-making in two aspects: (1) to protect their innovations, creative output, and/or the goodwill that they engender in the marketplace in connection with their brand; and (2) to take steps to avoid unwittingly infringing the I.P. held by competitors and other individuals.