Intellectual property (IP) refers to creations of the human mind and includes inventions, symbols, names, images, designs, and literary and artistic works. The failure to identify and properly analyze IP issues can lead to increased costs and lost business opportunities. See Quick Tips for Intellectual Property Creators, Resources Page. In an effort to assist independent inventors and the small business community, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have launched a free online tool — the IP Awareness Assessment Tool. The IP Awareness Tool is intended to help users increase awareness of IP issues relevant to their creative projects and business goals. Users first answer a comprehensive list of questions regarding IP, after which the tool prepares a set of training resources tailored to the needs of the user. Understanding a few basic principles of patents, trademarks, and copyrights, and can go a long way in helping you to reduce costs and take advantage of business opportunities.
Bourget To Attend 2012 INTA Annual Meeting
The International Trademark Association (INTA) will hold its 134th Annual Meeting May 5-9, 2012, in Washington, D.C. INTA is a worldwide association of member companies and firms that support and advance trademarks and intellectual property as elements of fair and effective global commerce.
The Annual Meeting is the trademark community’s premier global event for continuing legal education, network and client meetings. The meeting will be attended by more than 9,000 delegates from around the world.
In addition to attending the Annual Meeting, Tony Bourget will be meeting with attorneys from other countries who have served as foreign counsel to Bourget Law clients.
Bourget to Present IP Seminars
Bourget Law will be hosting an intellectual property seminar “Cultivating Value and Reducing Risk: A Business Solutions Seminar” in various Wisconsin and Minnesota locations over the next few months.
This seminar will cover important aspects of intellectual properties, particularly patents and trademarks, which are used to cultivate business value. A variety of explanations and tips will be covered that are of common interest to most business owners. Find out why the recently passed America Invents Act provides at least three incentives to NOT patent your invention. Learn what every business owner should understand about trademarks; reducing risks of infringement; and ownership disputes.
The following seminars are currently scheduled:
Saturday, January 7, 2012, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., Three Lakes, Wisconsin — Oneida Village Inn, 1785 Superior Street, Three Lakes, Wisconsin
Saturday, January 14, 2012, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., Duluth, Minnesota — Sheraton Duluth, 301 East Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota
Saturday, January 28, 2012, 11 a.m. to 12 noon, Green Bay, Wisconsin — Holiday Inn & Suites, 2785 Ramada Way, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Saturday, February 18, 2012, Wausau, Wisconsin — time and location TBD
To obtain more information or to register, please contact administrator@bourgetlaw.com or call us at 715.835.5232.
Sometimes Less is More
For a great article on striving for simplicity in innovation, see “In the School of Innovation, Less is More” published in the NY Times November 5, 2011.
America Invents Act to Become Law
The U.S. Senate has passed the America Invents Act, H.R. 1249, without amendment. President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law within the next week. Read the bill: America Invents Act As Passed,