What to Do if You Suspect IP Infringement
For more than 30 years, William Bryan Farney has been litigating high-stakes patent disputes on behalf of companies in various industries. A partner at Farney PC, William Bryan Farney and his team handle patent and intellectual property (IP) disputes at all levels, from the US Supreme Court to district and appellate courts. IP helps businesses establish their brand and gain a profit from their efforts, which is why protecting yourself from IP fraud and theft is so important. This property is intangible and may be a patent, trade secret, copyright, or trademark that is being used unfairly. Due to the intangible nature of IPs, proving their theft can be difficult. However, if you believe your IP rights are being infringed upon, it’s essential that you go through the necessary steps to prove the infringement has occured. Typically, this involves hiring a legal professional quickly who can enforce your rights and recoup lost business opportunities or profits that have resulted from the infringement. Also, it involves documenting any suspected infringement as soon as you notice it. Collect samples, take pictures, or collect online screenshots as proof for potential legal action since it helps your lawyer develop a case. Further, take note of who has had access to your IP to figure out how the infringement occurred and who is a suspect. However, be aware that infringement of patents or trademarks can occur even if the infringer was not aware of the patent or trademark being infringed. You can also try to correct the situation without court involvement. This includes sending a cease-and-desist letter to the infringer, or a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notice for online copyright infringement. If the infringement continues, you may file a lawsuit to correct the issue and secure an injunction and damages.

















