Intellectual Property Lawyers in Flint

Copyright is purely federal — registered with the U.S. Copyright Office, enforced through federal district courts. Michigan infringement cases are filed in U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan.

Michigan creators using copyrighted material need fair-use analysis — four-factor test (purpose, nature, amount, market effect) determines whether use is lawful without permission.

Patents are entirely federal — granted by the USPTO and litigated in federal district court. Michigan infringement actions are filed in U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Michigan.

Trademark protection in Michigan comes from THREE sources: federal registration with the USPTO, state registration with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (~$50, every 10 years), and common-law rights from actual use.

Michigan trade secrets are protected under both state Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA) and federal Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA, 2016). No registration required — but reasonable secrecy efforts are.