Forewords xix

Introduction 1

Part I: Covering Your Assets: Intellectual Property Basics 7

Chapter 1: Examining the Tools in Your IP Box 9

Chapter 2: Protecting Your Intellectual Property 19

Chapter 3: Dealing with Professionals and Picking Up the Tab 31

Part II: Patenting Your Product 41

Chapter 4: Understanding Patents and How They Work 43

Chapter 5: Testing the Water Before You Apply for a Patent 53

Chapter 6: Conducting a Patent Search 61

Chapter 7: Preparing Your Patent Application 73

Chapter 8: Filing Your Patent Application 99

Chapter 9: Prosecuting Your Patent Application 113

Chapter 10: Entering the Home Stretch: Getting Your Patent Granted 131

Part III: Knowing Your Copyright 139

Chapter 11: Protecting Your Designs 141

Chapter 12: Entering the Whimsical World of Copyright 153

Chapter 13: Untangling Ownership Issues 169

Part IV: Making Your Mark: Protecting Your Brand Identity 177

Chapter 14: Solving Your Identity Crisis 179

Chapter 15: Creating the Next Household Name 193

Chapter 16: Conducting an Availability Search 205

Chapter 17: Establishing and Registering Your Trade Marks 219

Part V: Exploiting and Enforcing Your IP Rights 233

Chapter 18: All Abroad: Protecting Your IP Rights in Other Countries 235

Chapter 19: Making 'em Pay: Licensing Your IP Rights 251

Chapter 20: Nailing the Bad Guys (The Infringers) 265

Part VI: The Part of Tens 275

Chapter 21: Ten Patent Application Pitfalls 277

Chapter 22: Ten Common Copyright Questions 281

Chapter 23: Ten Naming Blunders to Avoid 285

Chapter 24: Ten Great IP Resources 289

Appendix: Sample Patent Applications 293

Index 307