Federal Patent Act: 35 U.S.C. - Federal legislation governing patents, inventions, and their protection in the United States
Federal Copyright Act: 17 U.S.C. - Federal law protecting original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works
Trademark Act (Lanham Act): 15 U.S.C. - Federal law governing trademarks, service marks, and unfair competition
Federal Trade Secrets Act: 18 U.S.C. - Federal legislation protecting confidential business information that provides a competitive advantage
Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA): Federal law providing uniform federal civil remedy for trade secret misappropriation
State Trade Secret Laws: State-specific legislation protecting trade secrets and confidential information at the state level
State Contract Laws: State-specific regulations governing contract formation, enforcement, and interpretation
State Employment Laws: State-specific regulations governing employment relationships and independent contractor classifications
Fair Labor Standards Act: Federal law establishing standards for wage and hour requirements, potentially relevant for contractor classification
IRS Independent Contractor Guidelines: Federal guidelines determining worker classification as independent contractors versus employees
Common Law Contract Principles: Established legal principles governing contract formation, including offer, acceptance, consideration, and mutual intent
Uniform Commercial Code: Standardized state laws governing commercial transactions, which may influence contract interpretation
State Data Privacy Laws: State-specific regulations governing the collection, use, and protection of personal and business data
Industry-Specific Regulations: Sector-specific laws and regulations that may affect intellectual property and consulting relationships in particular industries
GDPR Compliance Requirements: European Union data protection regulations that may apply if the consulting work involves EU data or clients
