Links and Resources for Business Owners, Inventors and Entrepreneurs Seeking to Protect and Commercialize their Valuable Intellectual Property
Obtaining a patent or trademark, or even registering a copyright, is a bewildering experience to the uninitiated. When you are ready, attorney J. Nevin Shaffer, Jr. with over 38 years of experience is here to provide the expert assistance of a Florida Board-Certified IP specialist to secure your rights to your intellectual property. If you do not yet have your ideas developed and are merely looking for more information on how the patent, trademark or copyright process works, you can get Nevin’s easy to read book and/or the links below should provide you with answers to your most basic questions. If you have other questions or need advice and assistance in any aspect of intellectual property contact Nevin to speak with an experienced IP expert ready to help you make the most of your intellectual property.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – The USPTO is the agency responsible for granting U.S. patents and also registering trademarks. Discover the basics of trademarks and patents or the process for patents or trademarks, and search the databases for existing patents or trademarks.
U.S. Copyright Office – Go here to register a copyright, record a document, or conduct research on completed and in-process registration records, recordation records and more. Registering your work is an important step in protecting your rights to your creative works.
U.S. Department of Commerce – The entrepreneurship page at the Commerce Department hosts relevant content and resources for entrepreneurs, such as helping inventors patent new technologies and intellectual property resources for small businesses. You can also search other tags specifically, including patents, trademarks and intellectual property.
Regulations.gov – Search “inventions and patents” to learn about current regulations related to patents at the federal level. Make your voice heard by commenting on proposed regulations before they become final.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce – If you are a small business owner, the Chamber represents your pro-business interests through legislative advocacy and other activities. Florida and other states have their own Chambers of Commerce as well.
Patent and Trademark Resource Centers – A PTRC library can help you understand the resources available and get started investigating the process for obtaining a patent or trademark. In Florida and Alabama, PTRC locations include the University of Central Florida Libraries in Orlando, the Broward County Main Library in Fort Lauderdale, the Miami-Dade Public Library in Miami, the Ralph Brown Draughon Library at Auburn University, and the Birmingham Public Library.
Florida Department of State – This is the state office responsible for corporate filings, including forming a new Florida LLC, corporation or partnership, dissolving or withdrawing a businesses, or filing for reinstatement. Find the instructions and forms you need here, along with other helpful information and resources.
Alabama Secretary of State – Business services you can conduct online here include an entity search or name reservation, obtaining copies of business records, pre-filing and filing, and more.
Texas Secretary of State – Search business name availability, obtain an apostille or certification for documents being used abroad, and complete all your important business filings online.
Secretary of State Search – Go here for links to the Secretary of State websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia (Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs). This website lists offices for all states on one page, complete with contact information, an e-mail link, and quick links to relevant sections of each website, including forms, tax forms, statutes and entity search.
