Patent Act (35 U.S.C.): Primary federal patent law in the United States that governs the granting and enforcement of patents, including utility, design, and plant patents.
America Invents Act: Major reform to US patent law that switched the system from 'first-to-invent' to 'first-inventor-to-file' and introduced post-grant review procedures.
Lanham Act: Federal trademark statute (15 U.S.C. ��1051 et seq.) that governs trademarks, service marks, and unfair competition.
Copyright Act: Federal law (17 U.S.C.) providing comprehensive protection for original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression.
Digital Millennium Copyright Act: Law addressing copyright issues in digital media and online content, including anti-circumvention provisions and safe harbor for online service providers.
Defend Trade Secrets Act: Federal law providing uniform protection for trade secrets and allowing trade secret cases to be brought in federal courts.
Uniform Commercial Code: Standardized set of business laws regulating commercial transactions, including the sale of goods and secured transactions.
Securities Act of 1933: Federal law requiring registration of securities offerings and detailed disclosures to protect investors, may be relevant if IP assets involve securities.
Sherman Act: Core federal antitrust law prohibiting monopolization and restraints of trade, relevant for IP transactions that could impact market competition.
Internal Revenue Code: Federal tax law governing the tax implications of IP asset transfers and related transactions.
TRIPS Agreement: International agreement establishing minimum standards for intellectual property regulation among WTO members.
Work for Hire Doctrine: Legal concept determining ownership of copyrightable works created by employees or contractors, codified in the Copyright Act.
Paris Convention: International treaty establishing priority rights for industrial property rights (patents, trademarks) across member countries.
Berne Convention: International agreement governing copyright protection across member nations, establishing automatic protection without registration.
Madrid Protocol: International treaty allowing trademark owners to file for protection in multiple countries through a single application.
