Protecting Yourself from Unfair Competition

When attempting to protect and assign ownership over abstract entities, intellectual property law becomes a slippery slope. Abstract or not, ownership over original ideas is paramount to protecting the unique success of a business.

Unfair competition occurs when one company steals the intellectual property of another in order to trick the consumer into buying an unoriginal product. This breach of intellectual property law occurs mainly in two forms: trademark infringement and misappropriation. Trademark infringement is a result of two products appearing so similar that consumers could be tricked into buying the fake, or copycat, product thinking it was the original. Quite similar, but much more blatant, is product misappropriation. It is illegal for a company to copy a product’s name or likeness if it is without the permission of the original creator.

While it used to be the case that only products that received patents, copyrights, or trademarks were considered protected intellectual property, the advent of the internet ushered in a new era. Currently, ownership of any and all intellectual property can be fought for in the court of law. However, it is still a good idea to file for one of the three forms of legal protection listed above to streamline and strengthen your potential case.

If you have experienced trademark infringement or other violations of unfair competition law, know that a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. The attorneys at Gagnon, Peacock & Vereeke, P.C., are versed in the various aspects of intellectual property protection and can provide sound legal advice. Call our Dallas or Plano offices at (214) 824-1414 to speak to a member of our team and set up a consultation.