A patent can give an inventor the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, importing, or selling an invention in the United States. For inventors and businesses, that protection can be a critical part of turning an idea into a valuable asset. Our firm helps clients navigate the patent process, from understanding patentability and preparing applications to pursuing protection through the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Keisling & Pieper PLC has helped acquire more than 500 patents over the years, covering a broad range of subject matter, including technology, mechanical designs, logistics, recreation, quality-of-life improvements, and more.
Trademarks help identify and distinguish the source of goods and services. A name, slogan, symbol, logo, or even certain forms of trade dress can become an important part of how customers recognize and trust a business. Our attorneys help clients evaluate trademark rights, pursue registration, and develop strategies to protect and enforce brand assets.
Trademark rights are generally based on use in commerce, but federal registration can provide important benefits, including nationwide notice, the ability to use the ® symbol, and a presumption of ownership. We help clients understand the value of registration and avoid common branding conflicts before they become costly problems.
Copyright protects original creative works, including literary, artistic, musical, dramatic, and certain other intellectual works. For businesses, creators, designers, authors, and developers, copyright protection can play an important role in controlling how work is copied, distributed, displayed, performed, or adapted.
While copyright protection is inherent when a work is fixed in a tangible form, registration provides important legal advantages. These can include creating a public record of the claim, supporting infringement lawsuits, and providing potential advantages related to damages and attorney’s fees when registration is timely.