Intellectual Property Law
A logo, an invention, a creative work, a brand name, your intellectual assets have real value. The right protections keep competitors from profiting off what you built.
Intellectual property law protects the ideas, creations, and identifiers that set your business apart. Whether your asset is an invention, a brand mark, or an original work, the law provides specific mechanisms to register, protect, and enforce your rights and to defend against claims made against you.
Our team assists individuals and businesses across North Carolina and South Carolina with registering intellectual property, acquiring and licensing IP rights, and managing patents, trademarks, and copyrights. We also offer monthly and annual retainer plans that make ongoing IP counsel accessible for businesses of any size.
We take a broad look at what you've created, what protection may be available, and what risks you could be exposed to. This is an opportunity to understand your options and ask questions before we determine the right path forward for your specific situation.
Once you retain an attorney, we get into the specifics. We determine whether a patent, trademark, copyright, or combination of protections fits your situation, and outline the registration process, timeline, and costs involved.
We handle all filings on your behalf with the USPTO, the U.S. Library of Congress, the North Carolina Secretary of State, or the South Carolina Secretary of State, depending on the protection required.
If your rights are infringed, we pursue action. If a claim is brought against you, we defend. Our team has experience in patent litigation, trademark disputes in the NC Business Court, and copyright enforcement in the U.S. District Court.
A patent is a license that grants exclusive rights to an invention for a set period of time, preventing others from making, using, or selling it without authorization. Our team includes an attorney who is licensed to prosecute patent applications before the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). We handle the full prosecution process from application through grant.
When a patent is infringed or when a claim of infringement is made against you, litigation may be necessary. We handle all phases of patent litigation, including defending against infringement claims and initiating action when your rights have been violated.
A trademark identifies your products and services and distinguishes them from competitors. We file trademark registrations with the USPTO, the North Carolina Secretary of State, and the South Carolina Secretary of State. Our team also has litigation experience in the North Carolina Business Court for trademark disputes.
A copyright protects original works of authorship, written content, visual art, music, software, and other creative expressions fixed in a physical form. We handle copyright registration through the U.S. Library of Congress, as well as enforcement and defense proceedings in the U.S. District Court
For businesses with ongoing intellectual property needs, our monthly and annual retainer plans provide regular access to counsel for registration, licensing, contract review, and enforcement strategy without unpredictable hourly bills.
Category
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
What It Protects
Inventions and processes
Brand names, logos, slogans
Original creative works
Where You Register
USPTO
USPTO, NC/SC Secretary of State
U.S. Library of Congress
Duration
20 years from filing date; maintenance fees required at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years to keep the patent in force
10-year terms, renewable indefinitely with continued use
Individual authors: life + 70 years. Works made for hire: 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever comes first
Protection Begins
Upon grant
Upon registration (or common law use)
Upon creation, registration strengthens enforcement
Litigation Venue
U.S. Federal Court
NC Business Court / Federal Court
U.S. District Court
They protect different things. A patent protects an invention or process. A trademark protects a brand identifier, a name, logo, or slogan that distinguishes your products or services. A copyright protects original creative works. Many businesses need more than one type of protection, and some assets may qualify for overlap.
Registration is not always legally required, but it significantly strengthens your ability to enforce your rights. A registered trademark or copyright gives you clearer legal standing in court and establishes a public record of ownership. For patents, registration with the USPTO is required to receive protection.
Patent prosecution is the process of preparing, filing, and negotiating a patent application with the USPTO. It involves drafting detailed claims that define the scope of your invention's protection and responding to examiner questions and rejections. Our team includes an attorney who is licensed to prosecute patent applications before the USPTO.
Yes. Trademarks can be registered at the federal level with the USPTO or at the state level with the North Carolina or South Carolina Secretary of State. Federal registration provides broader protection. State registration is more limited but can be a cost-effective option for businesses operating primarily within one state.
Contact an attorney as soon as possible. IP enforcement is time-sensitive, and delay can complicate your legal options. We assess the situation, advise on the strength of your claim, and pursue the appropriate action from cease-and-desist letters to full litigation.
Do not ignore it. An infringement claim, even one you believe is without merit, requires a timely and strategic response. We review the claim, assess your exposure, and defend your position through negotiation or litigation as needed.
Schedule a confidential consultation by phone, video, or in-office. Available 24/7.
