North Carolina Intellectual Property Lawyers

What intellectual property lawyers do in North Carolina

Intellectual property lawyers protect the creations and brands that give businesses and creators their value. They register trademarks and copyrights, prosecute patents, license IP, and enforce rights against infringers — or defend clients accused of infringement.

Patent work before the USPTO requires a registered patent attorney or agent. Trademark and copyright matters are federal, so IP attorneys often represent clients nationwide.

Common intellectual property matters

• Trademark search and registration
• Patent applications
• Copyright registration and licensing
• Trade secrets and NDAs
• Infringement litigation
• Domain and online brand disputes

When to contact a intellectual property lawyer

• You are launching a brand or product name
• You have an invention you may want to patent
• Someone is copying your work, or you received a cease-and-desist letter

How intellectual property lawyers charge

Trademark and copyright filings are commonly flat-fee. Patent prosecution and litigation are usually hourly or staged flat fees.

Questions to ask before you hire

• Are you registered to practice before the USPTO?
• What will a clearance search tell me?
• What are the total costs through registration or issuance?

Read our full guide to intellectual property law