Welcome to the world of intellectual property. Writers, inventors, and artists transform ideas into tangible property. When this property qualifies under law for protection it's known as intellectual property (or IP)--for example, patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. Despite what some attorneys may tell you, intellectual property is not an inscrutable discipline. Anybody can understand the basics. This book is proof that IP law is not a mystery. For over 15 years, engineers, scientists, businesspeople, academics, and attorneys have used this book as a reference for understanding basic patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret principles. This helpful desk reference has evolved to include hundreds of definitions, statutes, forms, and bits of how-to information about protecting and preserving intellectual property.

So before you pick up the phone to call an attorney, check out this book. It may save you time and money . and it will hopefully make your job easier, your employer more secure, and your business more prosperous.