What does a intellectual property lawyer do?
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 cases
- Trademark search and registration
- Patent applications
- Copyright registration and licensing
- Trade secrets and NDAs
- Infringement litigation
- Domain and online brand disputes
When should you hire 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 much does a intellectual property lawyer cost?
Trademark and copyright filings are commonly flat-fee. Patent prosecution and litigation are usually hourly or staged flat fees.
Questions to ask in your consultation
- Are you registered to practice before the USPTO?
- What will a clearance search tell me?
- What are the total costs through registration or issuance?