Trademark & Copyright Infringement
If you own a company you’ll want to protect your business name and insure that others do not use it without permission. Today’s high tech world has given rise to many different computer laws for company domain name protection. A business law attorney is your best resource for understanding how to properly register your company’s trademark, intellectual property and protect it from illegal use in many ways.
New laws have been created to address the constantly shifting field of technology that are designed to protect businesses and people from technology-driven crimes. Trademarks are secured and identifiable by the markings of TM, SM, ©, registered or unregistered and are protected by law from infringement by another person or business. Registered trademarks have a wider range of protections and nation-wide enforcement. However, unregistered marks still carry legal protection in geographical regions where it was established and recognizable.
Company Domain Names – How to Get One Securely
When a person registers a company on the internet they have to create a Company Domain Name. The company that authorizes registration is the Internet Corporation for Names and Numbers (ICANN.) ICANN processes registrations and checks for conflicts of domain names or registered trademarks. Illegal use of a trademarked name on the computer is called “cyber-squatting.” If the system finds a conflict they will be prevented from registering that name. A new alternative offered via Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP) is an online “cyber arbitration” to request the use of a trademark and settle disputes.
Securing a trademark (TM) or (SM), patent or intellectual property or computer domain names that end with .org, .net or .com requires filing paperwork that will protect you domestically and internationally. It’s possible that without these necessary protections, someone could use your trademark and claim that it was not established enough to warrant an infringement suit.
Copyright (©) infringement is a serious intellectual property issue. Famous people are not exempt from wrong doing either. In 2011 the original author of a story too similar to the film “The Land of Blood and Honey” sued Angelina Jolie and producer and won the case.
Keep Your Trademark Safe – Potential Consequences
Businesses are distinguished and set apart from others by their names, trademarks, logos and slogans with effective sales results. This is why it’s important to protect your business. It can very harmful to your business’s financial reputation if other entities violate your trademark rights. Problems can also occur if another company unexpectedly lays legal claim to a trademark you had been doing business under.
If you have any of these issues or fears domestically or internationally it’s highly recommended that you seek the help of an aggressive business law attorney when filing for a trademark or fighting for infringement rights.