About Nicholas D. Myers

Nicholas D. Myers is a Principal at The Myers Law Group in Newport Beach, California. He brings 18 years of experience in intellectual property, business litigation, corporate governance, internet law, and entertainment matters. Nicholas advises clients on trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and complex contract disputes. He is admitted to the California State Bar and earned his J.D. from Whittier Law School and B.A. from DePauw University. His work has been recognized in the Southern California Rising Stars list and by the Whittier Law School Alumni Association.

Does Your Employer Own Your Intellectual Property in California?

In California, an employer generally owns intellectual property created by an employee within the scope of their employment, especially if a legal agreement like an "assignment of inventions" was signed. However, under California Labor Code Section 2870, an employee retains ownership of intellectual property developed on their own time, outside of the workplace, and without using company resources, provided it's outside the scope of employment. While copyrights often default to the employer through "work for hire" agreements, patent ownership typically requires a specific patent assignment agreement for the employer to claim it. You deserve credit for your own ideas. Unfortunately, [...]

2026-05-19T12:51:58+00:00

California Intellectual Property Laws Every Startup Should Know

If you’re launching or scaling a startup in California, understanding California intellectual property laws every startup should know is not optional; it is essential. Your brand, your code, your product design, and your trade secrets are likely some of your most valuable assets. Without the proper legal protections in place, those assets become vulnerable to competitors, former employees, and even unintentional mistakes. What Is Intellectual Property and Why Does it Matter for Startups? Intellectual property (IP) is creations of the mind that are protected by law. This includes inventions, brand names, creative works, and confidential business information. For startups in [...]

2026-05-06T12:58:44+00:00

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 [...]

2025-07-28T12:49:04+00:00

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 [...]

2025-06-13T08:16:32+00:00

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 [...]

2025-04-21T20:22:07+00:00

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 [...]

2025-04-21T20:16:19+00:00

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 [...]

2025-03-24T10:07:27+00:00

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 [...]

2025-03-24T08:31:56+00:00

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 [...]

2025-03-06T13:01:47+00:00

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 [...]

2025-03-06T12:50:35+00:00
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