David L. Melvin

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

Illinois 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.

Patents are entirely federal — granted by the USPTO and litigated in federal district court. Illinois infringement actions are filed in U.S. District Courts for the Northern.