Copyrights, Patents, and Trademarks…Oh My!

Webinar Overview

Thomas Edison. Henry Ford. Steve Jobs. These three household names revolutionized modern society through the protections afforded to their intellectual property by U.S. patent laws. Traditionally a copyright attaches when the “pen hits the paper” (when an original work is created and “fixed” in a particular expression). However, the analysis of what a copyright is and what it protects does not end there. A copyright is a valuable piece of intellectual property that protects many types of original works, not just artistic, literary, or musical works. Copyright laws are intended to “feed the artist” and give owners the right to reproduce their works and prevent others from doing so without the owner’s permission. This webinar also explores whether a copyright attaches to works created by AI, and how to best protect AI works while avoiding infringing on copyrighted works of others.
A trademark—whether a word, slogan, design, color, color combination, overall look or feel of an item or its packaging, or even a sound—enables customers to identify the source of goods or services. As such, companies should understand the benefits and pitfalls associated with U.S. trademark laws if they ever hope to develop a successful brand.

A patent is a property right that gives an inventor the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, selling, or importing an invention. This webinar series explores the different types of patents, including utility, design, and plant patents and their respective patent terms. Additionally, the participants learn about inventions that cannot be protected with patents and how to best protect new and cutting technology, such as AI.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the foundational concepts of intellectual property, including patents, copyrights, and trademarks, and their significance in fostering innovation and business success
• Learn the different types of patents (utility, design, and plant) and their respective terms, and identify inventions that cannot be protected by patents
• Explore the role of copyrights in protecting original works beyond artistic, literary, or musical creations, and learn about the rights granted to copyright owners
• Gain insights into the benefits and challenges of trademark protection in developing and maintaining a successful brand
• Analyze the implications of artificial intelligence in intellectual property law, focusing on how to protect AI-generated works and avoid infringement on existing copyrighted works

Other Webinars in this Series

• Leveraging & Protecting Trade Secrets in the 21st Century (Premiered on March 12, 2025)
• IP – What Every Lawyer & Every Client Must Understand (Premiered on January 29, 2025)
• IP-What Every Lawyer & Every Client Must Understand (Premiered on February 14, 2024)