Legal News
How to Stay Compliant With California Data Privacy Laws
The CCPA has set a strong standard for data privacy in the state. The act is a shield that safeguards the personal information of state residents, which many businesses collect and use. It doesn’t matter whether you are part of a small start-up or a large corporation; your business should be aware of the CCPA and how to stay compliant with California data privacy laws. What Is the CCPA? The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is a data privacy law that applies to businesses that handle the personal data of California residents. Internet laws, such as the CCPA, were enacted to require companies to inform consumers about how their data is being used and promote transparency. The act grants consumers certain privacy rights, such as the right to know, correct, and delete their personal data from a company’s database. The CCPA applies to all for-profit businesses that operate in [...]
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to File a Patent?
For many inventors who create something remarkable and want to ensure it stays protected, the question is asked, “How much does it cost to hire a lawyer to file a patent?” It’s an important question, especially after inventors have already invested so much money into research and design to bring their ideas to life. However, the answer to this question varies depending on the specifics of what you created. The answer to this question requires a deeper dive into the context of what you created. In innovation-heavy states like California, where inventors filed more than 419,000 patents between 2017 and 2024, working with a legal professional in this space is another necessary investment to ensure you protect your work comprehensively. What Is Included in a Patent Cost? When you hire a patent attorney, you are paying more than just for them to help you complete legal paperwork and meet [...]
How To Find Out Who Owns a Copyright in California?
In today’s modern age, people are constantly coming up with new ideas and tangible creations. California is a hub for these ideas and creations, thanks to places like Hollywood and Silicon Valley. With so much happening in the arts, business, and entertainment sectors, it comes as no surprise that many individuals will want to know how to find out who owns a copyright in California. At The Myers Law Group, we are here to answer that question and many more. At The Myers Law Group, our team has over 40 years of combined experience in intellectual property law and business litigation. If you are dealing with an issue surrounding copyright, either as someone who has been accused of infringement or believes their copyrighted work is being infringed upon, we are here to help, and one of the first things we will do is establish who owns the copyright. Understanding [...]
How Long Does A Copyright Last In California?
Copyright law is a complicated area of today’s legal landscape. One of the most common questions asked by intellectual property clients is, “How long does a copyright last in California?” Copyright is a large practice of law in California, as the state is home to Hollywood, along with large architecture firms, and several tech companies. Understanding copyright law and how it might affect your business, company, or art is crucial in the Golden State. At The Myers Law Group, our team of intellectual and business litigation attorneys has over 40 years of combined experience. We know how to approach issues of copyright and how to correctly guide you, whether you are enforcing your intellectual property rights or if you are in need of defense against accusations of copyright infringement. Several complicated aspects of copyright law are laid out clearly here. Defining a Copyright in California In 2023, the United [...]
How Fast Can I Get A Trademark In California?
Getting your work trademarked can feel like the ultimate personal accomplishment in many ways. It grants you exclusive rights to profit off your own work, lets the world know that you own this product, and legally prevents others from taking advantage of your work without your knowledge or approval. Getting a trademark doesn't just happen overnight. It can be a difficult process. You may wonder, “How fast can I get a trademark in California?” The answer will depend on the circumstances. What to Expect The amount of time it may take you to get a trademark in California depends on many different contributing factors, including how soon you applied for it, the exact nature of the product you are seeking to trademark, and whether your application was complete. Every trademark case is different, which means every product is going to take as long as it needs to take to [...]
What Is the Mission Statement of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office?
If you are seeking to create something revolutionary or protect your brand as a small business owner, you are going to want to enlist the help of a trademark, copyright, or patent attorney. The most effective way you can reinforce your brand is to get a registered trademark. To get that trademark, you are going to have cto apply to the right people. You may wonder what the mission statement of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is. With the help of a patent and trademark lawyer and the USPTO, you can protect your intellectual property, which makes your brand recognizable and unique. What Is the Mission Statement of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office? According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s official website, the USPTO’s mission statement is to encourage United States innovation, capitalistic trends, and global competition in order to foster a spirit of entrepreneurship across [...]
California Intellectual Property Law
It’s important for California's creators, businesses, and entrepreneurs to understand California intellectual property law if they want to protect their hard work and original creations from use by others. An intangible asset is an intellectual property, otherwise referred to as “IP.” This could be an invention, piece of creative work, or brand symbol. All of these items are protected under California’s intellectual property law. The Different Types of Intellectual Property There are four main categories of intellectual property in California. These include copyrights, trademarks, patents, and trade secrets. Each of these items plays a distinct role in creative and business innovations to ensure that the individual or business who created them is able to maintain control over their ideas. Copyrights: Copyrights are a form of protection granted to the original work's creator. It can include a wide array of items, like literature, film, and digital content. The purpose of [...]
Does California Have Copyright Laws?
Many different creators, businesses, and consumers often ask the question, “Does California have copyright laws?” It's an important question to continue to ask in 2024 for anyone who is creating or using intellectual property. The nuances of this law can help protect these individuals’ unique works of art while also keeping them out of trouble with copyright law at both the state and federal levels. Understanding Federal Copyright Law The United States government oversees federal copyright law, which is specifically noted in Title 17 of the U.S. Code. It grants different creators, like authors and artists, exclusive rights over any original work they create. This allows these individuals to control how their custom work is used, distributed, and reproduced in the public eye. California’s Role in Intellectual Property Protection The state of California extends federal protections by developing its own laws specific to intellectual property protection. California will not [...]
Can You Patent a Trademark?
After working hard to establish a business, the last thing you need is for another entity to copy or weaken your brand name, tagline, or logo. These things are considered your intellectual property and deserve legal protection. However, it goes without saying that differentiating between the types of intellectual property can be confusing and complicated, and you might find yourself wondering if you can patent a trademark. In the state of California and the nation as a whole, there is a stark difference between a trademark and a patent. This difference can be complex, which is why it is crucial, when starting or operating a business, to seek the counsel of a trusted Orange County patent or trademark attorney who can help determine which course of action is right for you. As a business owner, you will want to do everything possible to protect your assets. What Is Intellectual [...]
Can You Have a Trademark and Patent at the Same Time?
As a business owner and operator, it is natural that you would seek as many ways as possible to protect your intellectual property. Intellectual property covers things such as copyright, trademarks, and patents. Each of these offers different forms of protection, and you may be wondering if you can have a trademark and patent at the same time. To answer this, you must first understand what each protection entails before moving forward. Both of these protections can be complex and confusing for those starting or operating a business. Fortunately, an Orange County patent and trademark attorney who has a full understanding of the laws surrounding these matters can help clarify any confusion and determine which one is the right course of action for your business to take. Or they can assist in deciding whether both are the correct choice. What Is a Patent? In general terms, a patent is [...]