IP Resources
IP Resources
The following resources offer accessible, easy-to-understand information on intellectual property rights. They’re a great way to familiarize yourself with key concepts before reaching out to an attorney. By exploring these guides, you can streamline your consultation, save on legal fees, and potentially resolve basic questions on your own—before you even need legal advice.
Intellectual Property (general)
Digital Media Law Project’s Overview of IP Law
Justia’s Intellectual Property Law Center
USPTO’s IP Basic Toolkits
USPTO’s IP Identifier (interactive tool for figuring out which kinds of IP you may have)
World Intellectual Property Organization’s “What is Intellectual Property?”
Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute — Intellectual Property overview
Trademark Law
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) website:
Trademark Basics
Trademarks FAQs
Protect Against Trademark Scams (how to spot misleading solicitations sent to trademark owners)
Other good resources:
International Trademark Rights
International Trademark Association “Fact Sheets” (various trademark subjects)
Digital Media Law Project’s Trademark Law section
Justia’s Trademark Law section
NOLO’s Trademark Law section
Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute — Trademark overview
WIPO’s Madrid System (international trademark registration)
Copyright Law
U.S. Copyright Office (USCO) website:
“Copyright Basics” PDF
Copyright Office Circulars (explaining specific areas of copyright law)
Copyright FAQs
Fair Use Index (searchable summaries of fair use court decisions)
Other good resources:
Stanford University Libraries’ Copyright Overview and Copyright FAQ
Digital Media Law Project’s Copyright Guide
Justia’s Copyright Law section
Cornell University’s Copyright Term and the Public Domain chart (when works enter the public domain)
Copyright Alliance FAQs (nonprofit organization for creators)
Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute — Copyright overview
Patent Law
USPTO website:
General information concerning patents
Overview of patent process
Patent FAQs
Inventor & Entrepreneur Resources
Other good resources:
Justia’s Patent Law section
NOLO’s Patent Law section
Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute — Patent overview
WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) System (international patent filing)
Trade Secret Law
USPTO’s Intellectual Property Toolkit – Trade Secrets
USPTO’s Trade Secret Policy page
Justia’s Trade Secret Law section
NOLO’s Trade Secrets section
Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute — Trade Secret overview
Right of Publicity
Rothman’s Roadmap to the Right of Publicity (Professor Jennifer Rothman’s state-by-state survey, news, and commentary)
Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute — Publicity overview
International Trademark Association’s Right of Publicity overview
Contact Montague Law
Take the leap, reap the reward.
With virtual and remote capabilities, we're here to discuss your goals on your terms.
Contact Us