Cases of intellectual property include copyright cases, patent cases, trademark cases or others dealing with creations of the mind. In most situations, the victim has little evidence against the perpetrator since it is often the theft of an idea or an abstract property. Intellectual property theft victims are usually not even aware that someone else is using their idea or patent until the guilty party profits.

The opportunities to counterfeit goods and pirate digital media are endless, so the definition of intellectual property law is always expanding. There are several associations to help you with the most common types of property law -- patent, trademark and copyright -- as well as organizations specifically devoted to updating information about cases of intellectual property.

Though intellectual property case law is always changing, consider the following:

1. Into what category does your intellectual property case fall?

2. What and who do you have to protect your intellectual property?

3. What can you do to protect intellectual property on your own?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider the very broad spectrum of intellectual property case law

Intellectual property includes music, literature, art and inventions. Theft protection in the form of patents, trademarks, and copyrights covers anything created from ideas. Patents guarantee the creator ownership, though improvements and amendments to patents are possible.

I recommend: The American Intellectual Property Law Association outlines different types of intellectual case law. Consult the U.S. Copyright Office for a list of protected works.

Secure your ideas against intellectual property cases

By securing a patent, trademark, or copyright through the U.S. government, you can protect your creation as well as its worth. Without documentation, you'll have a hard time proving when you came up with the idea for your creation. If someone challenges that in a patent case, it's your word against theirs and the burden would be yours as to who came up with the idea first. Gather information including correspondence, dated material and patent applications, and contact an expert.

I recommend: The International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce offers information and resources on protecting intellectual property. IPWatchdog offers tips on what kind of information to gather to prove the creation came from your idea. Maier and Maier PLLC, a firm of experts in intellectual properties cases for businesses, offers a free case review and is located next to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Find free intellectual property court case resources online

Like so many legal cases, intellectual property law cases go through many stages before the courts render a judgment.

I recommend: The International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, lists several resources for victims of intellectual property threat. The Internet Crime Complaint Center offers a downloadable complaint form. Submit your information at IntellectualPropertyLawFirms.com for a free case review of potential intellectual properties cases by patent infringement lawyers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Protect yourself from patent cases at Patentityourself.com and purchase an inventor's do-it-yourself guide. Get a 20% discount when you pay by check.