Et Auctor Tortor Nunc - Understanding U.S. Intellectual Property Law

The United States is home to a complex and multifaceted intellectual property (IP) system, with various laws and regulations governing the creation, use, and protection of intangible assets.

One of the key principles in U.S. IP law is the idea that inventions and innovations can be protected under federal patent and copyright laws. The Copyright Act of 1976 grants exclusive rights to creators of original works for a period of 50 years from publication, while the Patent Act of 1952 provides similar protection for inventions.

Understanding U.S. Intellectual Property Law

The following are some essential concepts in U.S. IP law:

• Inventions can be patented or copyrighted, but the patent term is shorter than the copyright term.
• Copyright protection extends to original works created after 1978, while patents will continue until 20 years after the filing date plus one year.
• The "first-to-inventor" rule applies when there are multiple inventors working on the same invention at the same time.

Key Cases

Several significant cases have shaped U.S. IP law over the years, including:

• The 1923 case of Buck v. Rockwell (U.S.) Inc., which established the "first to invent" rule.
• The 1990 case of Diamond v. Chakrabarty (U.S.), which held that a genetically engineered microorganism could be patented under the Patent Act of 1952.

https://conferences.law.stanford.edu/ipsummerschool2022/2014/01/21/et-auctor-tortor-nunc-2/