5 topics covered across all 50 states and DC. Pick a topic to see your state's rules.
Copyright is purely federal — registered with the U.S. Copyright Office, enforced through federal district courts. Washington infringement cases are filed in U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington.
See all 51 jurisdictions →Nevada creators using copyrighted material need fair-use analysis — four-factor test (purpose, nature, amount, market effect) determines whether use is lawful without permission.
See all 51 jurisdictions →Patents are entirely federal — granted by the USPTO and litigated in federal district court. Montana infringement actions are filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.
See all 51 jurisdictions →Trademark protection in District of Columbia comes from THREE sources: federal registration with the USPTO, state registration with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (~$60, every 5 years), and common-law rights from actual use.
See all 51 jurisdictions →Alabama 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.
See all 51 jurisdictions →These guides are for general information only and do not constitute legal advice. Laws change and outcomes depend on your specific situation — talk to a licensed attorney before acting on anything you read here.