In addition to the excellent answers you have received so far, consider what would happen if you spend years using your name without registering...

Starting a business what do I need to trademark? Logo, name, tagline? Logo and tagline locked up together?

If you have that many versions of your trademark(s), then perhaps one of the first questions you should ask is which ones are most important to...

How can I tell if a patent is retired?

I would add to the good answers you have received so far that a given product may have multiple patentable aspects, each of which might be covered...

How can I patent an idea ?

You do not need a prototype. You just need to be able to describe your invention well enough so that one skilled in the art could make it and use...

I released my idea to my company under attorney-client confidentiality. My company now claims ownership of the idea.

Under US law, an invention is owned by the inventor(s) in the absence of an assignment or agreement obligating assignment. Employment agreements...

How can I patent and present an idea?

A patent attorney can assist with protecting your idea and negotiating a license agreement with any interested companies, but you will most likely...

What is legal? I want to sell a book chopped ie pages are unbound - loose chopped the buyer can scan it can i scan it for him?

If - and only if - you are a nonprofit or government organization with the primary purpose of helping those with disabilities, it is not copyright...

How can I trademark something?

The first step is to perform a clearance search to ensure that your symbol is not confusingly similar to anyone else's trademark. Trademark rights...

We just finished recording our first album, what's the best way to copyright the songs and also trademark our band name and logo

Are all of the songs completely original? Do any of them contain material from other songs? Are any of the songs remakes of other songs? If...

Do I need permission to use the nike swoosh on a class shirt?

I would not proceed without asking permission. If you receive it, then you are set. If not, or if it begins to turn into a more complicated...