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Internet Copyright Laws
Few areas of law are as dynamic as Internet, Computer and high technology law. A growing portion
of the legal practice at Malin Haley DiMaggio Bowen and Lhota, P.A. involves the protection of our client's
computer software and hardware innovations. Computer programs, Web sites, Internet-based business
methods and computer hardware design cross all of the borders of intellectual property protection
including patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets.
We counsel our clients on all forms of Internet copyright laws and intellectual
property matters regarding computer innovations and Internet-related matters, including negotiating
and drafting software licensing and development agreements, obtaining copyright protection for
Web sites, obtaining Federal Trademark registrations for domain names, resolving domain name disputes,
obtaining foreign and domestic patents and litigating computer-based intellectual property matters.
Computer, Internet and high technology law requires attorneys with knowledge and experience
in the wide variety of legal areas necessary to properly represent clients whose businesses
rely on computer technology and the Internet. At Malin Haley DiMaggio Bowen & Lhota, we represent many
companies that rely heavily upon computers and the Internet in their day-to-day business operation.
However, it is not only the large technology corporation that requires legal protection in this
field. Software programmers, computer hardware designers, software distributors, Web hosters,
and companies relying on its Web site to generate business, all require legal advice and counseling
with respect to the protection of their intellectual property. Computer and Internet law cover
those who buy or sell goods on-line, create, buy or sell software, or acquire computers or computer
systems.
Malin Haley DiMaggio Bowen & Lhota assists its clients in obtaining software and Internet-based business
method patents in this exploding field. Aspects of a Web site or of computer software may be
eligible for patenting as a process patent, or as an apparatus where the software is stored
in a machine and is executed on a computer or as an article of manufacture, when the software
is stored on floppy disks, CD-ROM, or other types of system memory. Of course, as is the case
of traditional inventions, the invention must be new, useful, and unobvious.
Our patent prosecution practice involves obtaining intellectual
property protection throughout the world. To assist us in
these efforts, the Firm has developed relationships with an
extensive group of foreign associates.
Copyrights are applied for to protect Web sites or other types
of graphic designs, source and object code, algorithms, program
or other technical descriptions, schematics, flow charts,
data structures, database contents and user manuals.
Trade secret law can be used effectively to protect computer
software. Trade secret law protects ideas, facts, and know-how,
whether in tangible form or not. A trade secret can be defined
as any formula, pattern, device, machine, process, technique,
compilation of information, or program. This information must
be used in one's business and give a competitive advantage
or a potential competitive advantage. The information must
be kept secret so that, except by improper means, it is difficult
to acquire.
The attorneys at Malin Haley DiMaggio Bowen & Lhota bring a wide
spectrum of computer-related technical experience and legal
expertise regarding all the various forms of intellectual
property protection for software, Internet and high technology-related
innovations. Malin, Haley and DiMaggio continues to counsel
and advise individuals and businesses in this exciting and
rapidly changing area of the law.
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