According to the United States Government Accounting Office (GAO), our federal government could do a better job protecting intellectual property.
Patents are one of the ways that inventions are protected in the defense, health care and energy industries – all of which help keep our country competitive on international playing fields.
Below are some of the GAO’s proposed improvements to increase the protection of intellectual property by our federal government.
Protection for innovations of small businesses
It can be onerous for small business owners to navigate the complex world of intellectual property and its copyright, trademark, trade secret and patent regulations. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) could offer assistance by evaluating the workability of its programs to help small businesses liaise with their office and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Enforce existing intellectual property rights
Copyrights are infringed upon when counterfeit products get sold on the U.S. market. Not only does this practice have adverse effects on the rightful owners, but it can also negatively affect the economy and consumers’ safety and health.
Making Customs and Border Protection more proactive at stopping counterfeit products at the U.S. borders is one improvement the government can make.
Do you suspect violations of your intellectual property rights?
If you believe that a competitor or former employee has run afoul of your rightfully owned intellectual property, it is incumbent upon you to do all that you can to protect them and your company. Learning more about how to protect these important, intangible assets can protect your company from losing the right to exclusive use of its intellectual property.