Intellectual property in the form of copyrights and trademarks are valuable assets that identify your business in the marketplace and differentiate you from your competitors. Protection and enforcement of copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets is critical to any business.
Lantz Law Group can help you establish and protect your trademarks and trade secrets. Moreover, Lantz Law Group has trained litigators skilled in taking enforcement actions when rights are violated or defending your company from overly aggressive copyright or trademark enforcement by others.
You can count on our trademark and trade secret lawyers to provide knowledgeable legal guidance with your best interests at the forefront.
Call 720-571-8620 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
Intellectual property is an overarching term for creations of the mind that can be protected under the law.
The Denver business transaction and commercial litigation lawyers at Lantz Law Group can help your company in three areas:
A trademark is a symbol, word, or group of words a company uses or registers to establish ownership. You can trademark icons, products, images, slogans, or even shapes of products. Registering a trademark gives you exclusive rights to use that trademark.
Trademarks can be established through their use, but this method offers only limited protections in specific geographic areas. For nationwide rights and protections, trademarks must be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). If you are marketing your products or services internationally, you will need to protect your trademarks in the countries where you plan to do business or expect to do business. Lantz Law Group’s Denver trademark lawyers can help you make a plan for registering your trademarks internationally.
A trade secret is any information that gives your business a competitive advantage over its rivals and is unknown to the public. While trade secrets fall outside of formal intellectual property such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks, it is similar in the sense that trade secrets can include formulas, processes, methods, techniques, designs, customer lists, marketing strategies, or any other confidential data that is valuable to the owner and is kept secret.
Unlike patents, copyrights, and trademarks, intellectual property laws do not protect trade secrets. Instead, trade secrets are protected by contract, tort, and state laws that vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Trade secrets are essential for businesses because they can provide a significant competitive edge, increase the value of the business, and foster innovation and creativity.
Copyright law protects written works, software, art, and music from unauthorized duplication or use.These rights are exclusive, meaning the owner can exclude people and businesses from using the copyrighted work. The U.S. Copyright Office registers copyrighted work.
Sometimes, problematic uses involve straight copying. But in many cases, a dispute arises over similar but not identical uses. The copyright on a work can cover non-identical but substantially similar uses. As a result, the copyright owner can send a cease and desist letter for a broad range of uses that stretch the definition of “substantially similar.” “Substantially similar” generally refers to a level of similarity where an ordinary observer would recognize the second work as being derived from or closely resembling the original
Certain infringing uses fall within an exception to the Copyright Act known as “fair use” which allows the use of copyrighted materials in minor ways consistent with the principles of free speech. Our Denver copyright lawyers are well-versed in copyright, trademark, and trade secret law from creation through litigation.
Confidential information is one of the most important assets a business can own, especially when dealing with employees, contractors, vendors, partners, or potential investors. Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) are a foundational tool for protecting sensitive business information from unauthorized sharing, use, or disclosure.
NDAs are commonly used whenever a business must share proprietary or confidential information with outside parties. This may include discussions with potential employees, independent contractors, consultants, manufacturers, software developers, investors, or potential business partners. NDAs help ensure that sensitive information—such as customer lists, pricing structures, business strategies, product designs, and operational processes—remains protected during and after the relationship.
Not all NDAs provide the same level of protection. The enforceability and effectiveness of a confidentiality agreement often depend on how clearly it defines confidential information, the scope of permitted use, and the duration of the obligations. Poorly drafted agreements may expose businesses to unnecessary risk or make enforcement difficult when disputes arise.
Lantz Law Group assists businesses with drafting, reviewing, and negotiating NDAs tailored to their specific operational needs. We help ensure confidentiality agreements are properly structured to protect proprietary information while remaining practical for use in real-world business relationships.
Employees and independent contractors often have access to a company’s most sensitive information. For this reason, NDAs are frequently paired with employment agreements, contractor agreements, and restrictive covenants to help protect business assets during and after the working relationship. We advise businesses on structuring these agreements to reduce the risk of unauthorized disclosure or competitive misuse of confidential information.
NDAs play a key role in protecting trade secrets by establishing clear legal obligations of confidentiality. When properly drafted and enforced, these agreements help support trade secret claims in the event of misappropriation and can strengthen a business’s position in litigation or pre-litigation disputes.
Implementing strong confidentiality protections early can help businesses avoid costly disputes and protect long-term competitive advantages. We work with clients to develop practical NDA strategies that align with their business operations and reduce the risk of information leaks or misuse.
Even with careful planning and strong internal protections, intellectual property disputes can still arise. Competitors may use similar branding, former employees may take confidential information, or businesses may receive allegations of infringement. When these issues surface, the way they are handled early can significantly impact both legal exposure and business continuity.
Trademark disputes often begin with a cease and desist letter alleging that a business name, logo, or branding element is too similar to an existing mark. These claims can escalate quickly if not addressed strategically.
We assist clients in evaluating infringement allegations, assessing the strength of trademark rights on both sides, and determining the most effective response. This may include negotiating a resolution, modifying branding where appropriate, or defending against claims in formal litigation when necessary.
Trade secret disputes frequently involve allegations that a former employee, contractor, or competitor improperly obtained or used confidential business information. These cases can involve customer lists, pricing data, product designs, software, or internal business strategies.
We represent businesses in both asserting and defending trade secret claims, including actions involving misappropriation, breach of confidentiality agreements, and unfair competition. When appropriate, we pursue immediate injunctive relief to prevent further use or disclosure of sensitive information while the dispute is resolved.
Not all intellectual property disputes require full litigation. In many cases, early negotiation or settlement can protect business interests while minimizing disruption and cost. However, when litigation is necessary, we work to build a strong legal position supported by documentation, contracts, and evidence of ownership and use.
Our approach focuses on protecting the client’s business operations while pursuing efficient and practical outcomes, whether through settlement discussions, mediation, or court proceedings.
Intellectual property disputes can affect brand reputation, customer relationships, and revenue. Having experienced legal counsel early in the process can help businesses respond effectively, preserve their rights, and avoid costly mistakes that can arise from delayed or inconsistent action.
You can search for free at the USPTO website. However, many trademarks can be similar looking but not exact. Or they may use similar wording or phrasing. To conduct a more effective and thorough search that reduces your chances of infringing on another party’s rights, consider enlisting assistance from Lantz Law Group.
Your trademark can theoretically last forever. However, you must ensure that you renew and actively use it. A federal trademark lasts ten years, and can be renewed every ten years indefinitely.
Trade secrets can last indefinitely as long as the information remains confidential and continues to provide a competitive advantage. Unlike patents, which have an expiration date, trade secret protection does not expire unless the secret is revealed.
Yes, many companies use non-compete, non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements to prevent former employees from disclosing or using trade secrets after they leave. These agreements can restrict employees from sharing sensitive information with competitors or using it in their own ventures.
Yes, a trade secret can be lost if it is disclosed publicly, either accidentally or intentionally, or if the company does not take reasonable steps to maintain its confidentiality. Once a trade secret becomes public knowledge, it loses its protection under the law.
Trademarks, copyrights, and trade secret disputes may be resolved through negotiations, arbitration, or litigation. How a particular issue is resolved depends on the type of rights violation, the parties involved in the dispute, the contract terms, and additional factors. Our business lawyers are effective negotiators and litigators who work hard to achieve beneficial outcomes for their clients.
If you’re facing a legal challenge, I highly recommend Robert Lantz and the Lantz Law Group. They truly go above and beyond to ensure their clients’ success and peace of mind.
Contact Lantz Law Group Today!
Intellectual property issues sit at the intersection of law, branding, and business strategy. Whether you are building a brand, protecting proprietary information, or responding to a dispute, the attorney you choose can have a direct impact on your company’s long-term value and competitive position.
Lantz Law Group provides practical, business-focused counsel for trademark and trade secret matters. We work with startups, established companies, and growing businesses to help them secure and enforce their intellectual property rights in a way that supports real-world operations—not just legal theory.
We understand that intellectual property protection is not just about filing paperwork or pursuing claims. It is about protecting revenue, reputation, and market position. Our approach is grounded in understanding how your business operates, how your brand is used in the marketplace, and where risks are most likely to arise.
Intellectual property issues often require both preventative planning and dispute resolution. Our firm advises clients on trademark strategy, trade secret protection, and confidentiality agreements, while also representing businesses in enforcement actions and litigation when disputes arise. This combination of transactional and litigation experience allows us to anticipate issues early and respond effectively when conflicts develop.
Many intellectual property disputes can be avoided with the right protections in place from the start. We help clients implement practical safeguards such as trademark clearance searches, properly structured NDAs, and internal trade secret protection strategies designed to reduce exposure and strengthen enforceability if a dispute occurs.
When intellectual property disputes arise, businesses often face urgent decisions that affect branding, operations, and customer relationships. We provide clear, responsive guidance to help clients evaluate their options and take decisive action, whether that means negotiating a resolution or pursuing litigation.
Our goal is to serve as a long-term legal partner as your business grows and evolves. From early-stage brand development to complex disputes involving competitors or former employees, Lantz Law Group helps businesses protect what they have built and move forward with confidence.
Like most business owners, you have likely worked long hours and committed extensive financial resources into building your company. We can help you protect what you have built — by protecting your intellectual property via trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. The Lantz Law Group also understands that growing your revenue will set you on a stronger path to ongoing success. Our business lawyers in Denver can guide you in monetizing your intellectual property to increase the value of your business.
Call 720-571-8620 today or fill out our online contact form to learn how our Denver intellectual property attorneys can help you.
The Lantz Law Group represents businesses throughout the Denver metro area and the state.