Invention Company Scams And How To Avoid Them

Guess what? The federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that over $100,000,000 is being scammed by fraudulent Invention Marketing and Invention Patent Companies on consumers annually. That’s $100,000,000 of your money. The main reason there is such a problem is due to the fact that the general public is not aware of the problem until it is too late. By too late I mean they have already been suckered into the web of an invention company and spent their money. I’m sorry to say that as much as the invention companies are at fault, so are consumers. Here is what I mean. A new first time inventor generally... Read more »

Non-Disclosure Agreements and Their Importance in Development of New Ideas

A non-disclosure agreement is made between two parties when they agree that one or both parties will not reveal specific information that is considered to be confidential by the disclosing party. Non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements are commonly used to enforce obligations of confidentiality on a party that is receiving information or material from a disclosing party that the second party considers to be secret or classified. There are some very important issues to consider when drafting a non-disclosure agreement.... Read more »

How To Protect What You Create With A Copyright

In the United States there are millions of people every year who create original music, research, or write books and other forms of creative expression. These are covered by the term intellectual property and are given protection under copyright laws. If you are a publisher, writer, or editor it is crucial that you are knowledgeable about copyright issues more than ever. With the Internet there has been an enormous increase in counterfeiting and pirating of books, music, and other intellectual property. A report last year from the World Customs Organization indicated over a... Read more »

The Difference Between Trade Secrets And Trademarks

Some people get confused between trade secrets and trademarks. A trademark is something that is publicly recognized and known as being officially associated with a particular company. In contrast a trade secret can be a much more broad definition and by its very name is not made public. According to the laws in most states, any device, pattern, formula, idea, or collection of information that gives the owner an advantage in the marketplace and is protected by the owner in a way that shows that it can be reasonably expected to keep their competitors or the public... Read more »

Louisiana Estate Planning Under Napoleonic Code Is A Bit “Different”

Louisiana law provides that without a will, separate property is inherited in a unique inheritance order unlike that in most other states. That order is somewhat complicated, and its unusual provisions often come as an unwelcome, devastating surprise to the surviving family. If one is married but has no will, ones line of inheritance in Louisiana is the same as that of a single person. That is: Actual usage (usufruct) of funds and property are given to the parents of the deceased; the deceased’s siblings are granted naked ownership. If the deceased’s parents die first, then the siblings inherit full ownership with usage rights. Where’s the wife or husband in all this? Out in the cold, without a will specifying his or her inheritance. Children are somewhat better protected... Read more »

Patent Laws Part One

A patent basically gives the legal right to one person to exclude others from using, making, offering to sell, importing the patented invention, or using the invention. There are three kinds of patents, there is patent called a utility patent, another one called a plant patent , and a third called a design patent. A utility patent is granted 20 years for something new, useful, and non obvious products and processes. Plant patents are granted for 20 years and are literally for actual plants that are discovered and are asexually reproducing and distinct. Design patents run for 14 years and are granted... Read more »