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Do-It-Yourself
The desire to do-it-yourself ("DIY") is very reasonable in light of the cost of attorney time. But while you can almost certainly obtain a copyright registration by yourself, there is at least one critical mistake you can make preparing your own trademark registration application. And it is highly unlikely, if you do not have a professional level of understanding of the patent law, that you will do yourself any favors if you plan to file your own (nonprovisional) patent application.
We recognize both the desire and the reality, so please see Resources below, for a link to a recommended publisher of self-help books (particularly David Pressman, "Patent It Yourself"). In addition, we offer you consultation services on an as-needed basis. We will explain what you need to know and consider if you intend to prepare and file your own application for intellectual property protection or registration.
Resources
- United States Patent & Trademark Office (search patents and trademarks, manuals defining examination procedure, other information):
www.uspto.gov - United States Copyright Office (assistance and much useful information relating to copyrights and copyright registration):
www.copyright.gov - World Intellectual Property Organization (international patent applications):
www.wipo.int - European Patent Office (European patents and patent applications):
www.epo.org - Trademarks and Designs Registration Office of the European Union (European Community Trademark registrations and applications):
www.oami.europa.eu - Patent law blog (discussions about recent case law):
www.patentlyo.com - Nolo Press (order patent, trademark, copyright self-help books):
www.nolo.com - On finding and choosing a patent attorney or intellectual property attorney:
www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0DTI/is_n7_v26/ai_20945234 - Oregon entrepreneurs network:
www.oen.org - Stop Fakes - The importance of intellectual property:
www.stopfakes.gov