Coming soon · Reference Work
Patent Copyright Trademark Desk Reference Stim
A comprehensive desk reference explaining the fundamental principles, processes, and legal statutes for protecting intellectual property through patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.
This is a reference work — we're absorbing it into the Reference library (structured entries), not a narrative profile.
What it’s about
“Patent, Copyright & Trademark” by attorney Richard Stim is an essential desk reference for anyone navigating the complex world of intellectual property. Whether you're an inventor, writer, artist, or entrepreneur, this comprehensive guide demystifies the four major areas of IP law: patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. It provides clear, plain-English definitions of key terms, explains how to determine which rights apply to your work, and offers overviews of the application and protection processes for each type of IP. Packed with real-world examples, statutory excerpts, and sample forms, this book empowers you to protect your creations, avoid costly legal mistakes, and understand how to commercialize your intellectual assets, saving you time and money before you ever need to call a lawyer.
The through-line
- Who it’s for
- A creator, inventor, business owner, or entrepreneur who has developed a valuable product, service, creative work, or business method and wants to protect it.
- The problem
- They don't know how to legally protect their intellectual assets from being copied, stolen, or used by others without permission. They feel confused, intimidated, and overwhelmed by the complexity of intellectual property law, fearing they will lose their hard-earned creations and competitive edge.
- The plan
- Determine which form(s) of intellectual property apply to your work using the book's clear explanations and charts.
- Understand the core principles, definitions, and requirements for each type of IP by consulting the dedicated sections.
- Review the overviews and sample forms to understand the process for securing and registering your rights.
- Use the book as an ongoing desk reference to answer questions about enforcement, licensing, and maintaining your IP protections.
- The payoff
- Feeling confident and empowered with a clear understanding of your intellectual property rights. · Successfully protecting your inventions, brand, and creative works, thereby securing their commercial value. · Saving significant time and money on legal fees by handling many IP issues yourself.
See our guide
Additional reading
- Patent Engineering: A Guide to Building a Valuable Patent Portfolio · Donald S. Rimai
The author's previous book, which introduces foundational concepts like 'owning the problem' and conducting clearance searches that are referenced and built upon in this guide.
- Rembrandts in the Attic · Kevin G. Rivette and David Kline
Cited as a key reference for understanding the significant commercial and economic value that a well-structured patent portfolio can have for a company.
- Connections · James Burke
Referenced for its thesis that modern technology arises from combining previously unrelated components, which supports the book's argument about where to find patentable inventions when combining known technologies.
- Basic Drawing Techniques · Greg Albert and Rachel Wolf
Recommended by the authors for readers who need to learn fundamental drawing skills before attempting to create drawings manually with pen and ruler.
- Keys to Drawing · Bert Dodson
Suggested as a resource to develop the basic drawing abilities required for the manual methods described in the book.
- The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain · Betty Edwards
A classic book recommended to help aspiring drawers develop their observational and rendering skills, which are foundational for manual patent drawing.
- Patent It Yourself · David Pressman
This book is presented as a companion to 'Patent It Yourself', which covers the written portion and formal paperwork of the patent application that this book does not.
- Profit From Your Idea: How to Make Smart Licensing Deals · Richard Stim
The book recommends this title for detailed guidance on the invention licensing process, including finding licensees, negotiating terms, and drafting a comprehensive agreement.
- How to Make Patent Drawings · Jack Lo and David Pressman
This companion book is recommended for step-by-step instructions on creating formal patent drawings that meet the USPTO's strict formatting rules.
- Trademark: Legal Care for Your Business & Product Name · Stephen Fishman
Referenced for readers who need more in-depth information on selecting, searching, and registering trademarks to supplement their patent rights.