Patent, Trademark & Copyright

Copyright's Paradox

The United States Supreme Court famously labeled copyright "the engine of free expression" because it provides a vital economic incentive for much of the literature, commentary, music, art, and film that makes up our public discourse. Yet today's copyright law also does the opposite--it is often used to quash news reporting, political commentary, church dissent, historical scholarship, cultural critique, and artistic expression.
In Copyright's Paradox, Neil Weinstock Netanel explores the tensions between copyright law and free speech, revealing how copyright can impose unacceptable burdens on expression. Netanel provides concrete illustrations of how copyright often prevents speakers from effectively conveying their message, tracing this conflict across both traditional and digital media and considering current controversies such as the remix and copying culture rampant on YouTube and MySpace, hip-hop music and digital sampling, and the Google Book Search litigation. The author juxtaposes the dramatic expansion of copyright holders' proprietary control against the individual's newly found ability to digitally cut, paste, edit, remix, and distribute sound recordings, movies, TV programs, graphics, and texts the world over. He tests whether, in light of these developments and others, copyright still serves as a vital engine of free expression and he assesses how copyright does--and does not--burden speech. Taking First Amendment values as his lodestar, Netanel argues that copyright should be limited to how it can best promote robust debate and expressive diversity, and he presents a blueprint for how that can be accomplished.
Copyright and free speech will always stand in some tension. But there are ways in which copyright can continue to serve as an engine of free expression while leaving ample room for speakers to build on copyrighted works to convey their message, express their personal commitments, and create new art. This book shows us how.

Intellectual Property Law for Engineers and Scientists

An excellent text for clients to read before meeting with attorneys so they'll understand the fundamentals of patent, copyright, trade secret, trademark, mask work, and unfair competition laws.

This is not a "do-it-yourself" manual but rather a ready reference tool for inventors or creators that will generate maximum efficiencies in obtaining, preserving and enforcing their intellectual property rights. It explains why they need to secure the services of IPR attorneys.

Coverage includes employment contracts, including the ability of engineers to take confidential and secret knowledge to a new job, shop rights and information to help an entrepreneur establish a non-conflicting enterprise when leaving their prior employment.

Sample forms of contracts, contract clauses, and points to consider before signing employment agreements are included.

Coverage of copyright, software protection, and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) as well as the procedural variances in international intellectual property laws and procedures.

Literary Law Guide for Authors: Copyrights, Trademarks and Contracts in Plain Language

The Literary Law Guide for Authors provides essential information about copyright and trademark law. The text and illustrations teach authors how to protect their work and how to avoid common pitfalls associated with writing that may expose a writer to legal liability.

This title breaks down complicated boilerplate language most commonly included in publishing contracts and analyzes the clauses from the author's perspective.

The Literary Law Guide for Authors includes valuable forms commonly used by authors, including forms to register copyrighted materials and to engage the services of artists and other independent contractors on a work-for-hire basis. Also included is a sample publishing contract form with commentary and a list of references to obtain supplementary information.

The Literary Law Guide for Authors is an indispensable writing tool for all writers. A successful writer is an informed writer who understands the legal advantages, disadvantages, and intricacies involved in the business of writing.

Patent Strategy: For Researchers and Research Managers

As individuals and companies realise the importance of their inventions, issues surrounding patent laws and practices are taking centre stage around the world.
This updated edition of the best selling book has been expanded to keep pace with modern day movements and addresses the global issue surrounding intellectual property. Including new information on areas such as software and biotechnology it shows the techniques that can be used by individuals and academic inventors to protect their work and is the ideal reference source.
* Bridges the gap between the legal system and scientific research and avoids legal jargon
* Details the reasons behind patents, their importance and relevance to all researchers and the strategy needed for filing for a patent
* Focuses on the strategy and reasons rather than just being a textbook of patent law
* Adopts a readable style that explains the basics right up to developing a strategy
* Essential reading for all those who wish to keep pace and protect their work

Reviews of the First Edition
"...fulfills a most useful purpose, is soundly based and discusses patent strategy sensibly. I should like it to be compulsory reading for all newly-appointed research managers." S. M Scott - Research Policy

"...should be recommended reading for both researchers and their managers, and those who work with them." Michael Blackman - Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology

Patents for Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology: Fundamentals of Global Law, Practice and Strategy

This is the eagerly awaited fourth edition of Philip Grubb's acclaimed book on patent law and practice. It guides the reader through the legal and procedural complexities of the British, European, Japanese and US patent systems, and explains in detail the role of patent practitioners (both in-house and in private practice) in maximising the commercial potential of their client's or company's innovative products. This new edition provides vital updating to take account of the latest legal developments, while retaining the focus upon the relevant technology and industry practices in this sector that sets it apart from more general books on patent law and procedure.

Getting Permission: How to License and Clear Copyrighted Materials Online and Off

Whether you're a musician, writer, or collage artist, at some point you'll run into the problem of copyright. Nolo Press has come to the rescue with Getting Permission, by intellectual property attorney Richard Stim, providing everything you need, from information about the proper permit and how to get it is inside to ready-to-use forms and links to information resources online and off-. Even if you've never looked into the sometimes-murky world of copyright law, you'll be up to speed on concepts such as public domain and fair use just after browsing the first chapter. Additional material on tracking down copyright owners, writing permission letters, and tracking permits makes your job simple, especially if you plan to use many different materials.

Specific chapters cover music rights, artwork, trademarks, Web site permissions, academic permissions, and the nitty-gritty on fair use. Stim writes clearly and forcefully and isn't afraid to acknowledge that some aspects of his subject are still unclear. Advising caution in these legal frontiers, he still sticks with Nolo's empowerment theme by helping you keep up with the latest trends from home. The book comes with a PC floppy disk containing computer-ready forms in ASCII and rich text formats--a marvelous aid to the wired artist. If you want to use someone else's work legally but don't want to consult with an attorney, sample the power of DIY with Nolo Press's Getting Permission. --Rob Lightner

Whether creating a web site, an anthology, or materials for a class, artists and educators of every stripe need to copy right. No, this doesn't mean pulling an all-nighter at Copy Hut. People who plan to use any copyrighted material for their own purposes need to get permission first from the owners of that work. If they don't, they could find themselves face to face with a lawsuit.

Getting Permission, written by intellectual property expert Attorney Rich Stim, tackles the permissions process head on, explaining when authorization for the use of copyrighted materials is needed. It shines the light on who to ask for permission, as well as when--and how much--to expect to pay for permission. Comprehensive and easy to read, the book covers:

* the permissions process--including authorization to use text, photographs, artwork and music

* the public domain

* copyright research

* fair use

* academic permissions

* the elements of a license and merchandise agreement

* the use of a trademark or fictional character

* and much more.

This cutting-edge book, the only one on the market to cover web site permission, includes agreements for acquiring authorization to use text, photographs, artwork and music. It also provides information for web site owners, such as hyper-linking agreements and Internet research suggestions. A must for the new millennium, Getting Permission will help readers obtain rights, permissions and clearance--and stay out of legal hot water.

All agreements included as tear-outs and on disk.

Will It Sell? How to Determine If Your Invention Is Profitably Marketable (Before Wasting Money on a Patent)

Describes many inexpensive ways inventors can figure out, while protecting all patent rights, what their idea's real value is long before it's necessary to spend money on the patent. Dozens of Internet and other resources are provided with complete instructions for using them to your best advantage. This book is designed as the first book a new inventor should read to figure out what they need to do, where they can get help, and how to avoid the costly pitfalls that every inventor faces. The marketing information provided and the many referrals to other resources will also be valuable to experienced inventors seeking to expedite the costly process of entering an unknown market.

Business and Legal Forms for Authors and Self-Publishers (Business & Legal Forms for Authors & Self-Publishers)

Professional and aspiring writers will find indispensable tools in this practical, complete, and time-saving popular resource, now updated to include a CD-ROM.

Twenty essential forms include estimates, invoices, releases, copyright applications, and licenses covering authors' and self-publishers' every need, plus contracts between author and agent, publisher, designer, printer, sales representative, book distributor, and more. The collection provides a second set of forms perforated for easy removal, leaving the book intact for ongoing reference, and a CD-ROM contains the forms in Adobe Acrobat and the most popular word-processing formats for both PC and Mac platforms.

Tad Crawford, an attorney, publisher, and author of many successful guides to assist artists in managing their careers, lives in New York.

The Inventor's Bible: How to Market and License Your Brilliant Ideas

You've just invented a new technology, the next best thing, a must-have product. So, now what? Patent it? Manufacture it? Sell it? If you're like most would-be Edisons, chances are your stroke of genius will collect dust in the garage, or harddrive, waiting for you to plot your next move. Fear not, intrepid creator-successful inventor and author Ronald Docie shares more than 20 years of valuable insight and experience in THE INVENTOR'S BIBLE, a guide to taking your ideas from concept to profit in record time. Using real case studies as examples, this definitive handbook tells you everything you need to know about marketing, licensing, or selling your invention: how to figure your invention's worth, who to trust (a.k.a. how to avoid getting ripped off), which companies might want your ideas, and what steps to take first. You dreamt it, you created it, and it actually works-let THE INVENTOR'S BIBLE pave your way to your first million.

The Law of Patents, 2nd Edition (Oceana's Legal Almanac Series: Law for the Layperson, ISSN 1075-7376)

The Law of Patents provides a clear description of the basics of patent law. With this important volume, readers will gain an understanding of how the law protects them and how to obtain that protection. Included are exceptions to patent rules, as well as valuable guidance on how to thoroughly and strategically protect intellectual property.
The Legal Almanac series serves to educate the general public on a variety of legal issues pertinent to everyday life and to keep readers informed of their rights and remedies under the law. Each volume in the series presents an explanation of a specific legal issue in simple, clearly written text, making the Almanac a concise and perfect desktop reference tool. All volumes provide state-by-state coverage. Selected state statutes are included, as are important case law and legislation, charts and tables for comparison.