Irvine Intellectual Property Lawyer

Irvine Intellectual Property Attorney

Intellectual property is important to countless creatives and business owners across California. Securing your IP rights can be a confusing and frustrating process for those with little or no legal knowledge. An Irvine intellectual property lawyer can aid in defending false infringement claims, filings with state and federal agencies, and pursuing any bad actors using your assets without permission.

About The Kinder Law Group

Since 2010, The Kinder Law Group has helped people in Irvine, Los Angeles, Orange County, and communities throughout Southern California with their intellectual property matters. Founding attorney Brian P. Kinder has years of experience handling intellectual property cases ranging from minor disagreements to large-scale infringement claims. He maintains a 10.0 rating on legal website Avvo and was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers.

Awards and recognition from legal institutions do not guarantee future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.

What Is Intellectual Property?

Intellectual property (IP) refers to a broad range of intangible assets that belong to a person or legal entity. IP can include works of art, novels, inventions, company slogans, branding symbols, secret recipes, novel production methods, and client lists. Intellectual property cannot be a vague notion or general knowledge. For example, an idea for a story is not protected, but a complete novel is.

Types of Intellectual Property

Intellectual property in the United States falls under four distinct categories, each with its own unique registration process. The following are types of IP that The Kinder Law Group can assist with:

Copyrights

Southern California has a strong creative industry that relies on copyright law. Copyright is a type of intellectual property used for original works of authorship. Copyright protects a work once it is in a fixed and tangible form, but registration with the US Copyright Office can be essential for fighting infringement. Examples of copyrightable material include:

• Literary works. These cover all textual works such as books, novels, newspapers, and computer programs. The US Copyright Office issued 169,098 literary registrations in 2025.
• Performing arts. Performing arts copyrights are for films, albums, plays, choreography, and sound recordings. In 2025, 169,098 performing arts copyrights were established.
• Visual arts. This copyright is for paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, architecture, and other authored works appreciated through viewing. It had the fewest registrations in 2025, with 79,712 issued nationwide.

The length of a copyright depends on how it was made. The general guideline is that copyright protection lasts the life of the author and 70 years after their death. For works made by multiple people, the 70-year time limit only applies once the last surviving creator dies. Anonymous works are protected for 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, whichever occurs first.

Trademarks

Trademarks are a type of IP used as brand identity for a business. Examples include slogans, logos, packaging, or any other signifier unique to a company. Trademarks can be issued either on the state level by the California Secretary of State or the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). At the end of quarter one of 2026, the USPTO reported 3,579,090 active registered trademarks.

Trademarks can last in perpetuity if continuously renewed. State-level trademarks remain active for five years from issuance and must be renewed within six months of expiration. USPTO trademarks require a Declaration of Use after five years from the registration date, and an Application for Renewal every 10 years.

Patents

Patents provide exclusive legal rights for novel inventions, designs, compositions, machines, or processes. Utility patents are the most common type of patent granted. They are used for original and improved products, creation methods, and matter compositions. Design patents protect ornamental, aesthetic features for manufactured goods. Plant patents are the least common type, and they are granted for new plant varieties.

Utility and plant patents last 20 years, while design patents only last 15 years. Patents are not renewable, and utility rights require maintenance fees or risk early expiration. Utility patents require regular maintenance payments.

Trade Secrets

Trade secrets refer to information that is valuable to a company only if it remains confidential. Secret recipes, customer lists, business plans, and algorithms are all protected IP. Since trade secrets have economic value by remaining classified, they are not formally registered with a governmental entity. The main avenue for preventing infringement is a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) included in employee contracts.

Other Types of Irvine Trademark and IP Cases We Handle Include:

• Trademark Search
• Trademarks
• Domain Name Dispute
• Trademark Protection
• Copyright Protection
• Renewals

Hire an Irvine Intellectual Property Lawyer

IP complications can be overwhelming and time-consuming cases to deal with on your own. Hire an intellectual property lawyer to handle legal matters while you focus on other professional concerns. Your Irvine intellectual property attorney can provide many essential services, such as:

• Reviewing your situation. Before establishing IP protection, it’s important to know what legal structure fits your situation. Your IP lawyer can review your situation and advise on what approach grants the greatest protection.
• Drafting and filing petitions. Intellectual property cases require extensive, carefully worded paperwork, with minor errors or missed fees resulting in denials and delays. The Kinder Law Group can draft and file all documents on your behalf and can use years of legal knowledge to avoid easy mistakes.
• Responding to infringements
• Negotiating with other parties. The vast majority of civil cases, including IP matters, are resolved before reaching trial. Your attorney can negotiate for a favorable deal and advocate for you in discussions.
• Representing you in court. Your legal counsel can represent you in all court appearances for IP infringement claims. They can join you throughout court proceedings, whether your case is seen at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse or the Orange County Superior Court.

Speak With an Intellectual Property Attorney Today

The Kinder Law Group can help you with each stage of your intellectual property case. Our attorneys can use their years of experience and legal skill to make a positive impact on the proceedings.

Reach out today to book your initial consultation, where we can learn your story and discuss options for moving forward. You may also visit our Irvine offices, located on Von Karman Avenue, a few blocks east of John Wayne Airport, southwest of the 405, and northeast of the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.

Irvine Intellectual Property and Trademark Resources

• Are There New Intellectual Property or Copyright Laws for 2026?
• Can Intellectual Property Be Stolen?
• How Important Is Intellectual Property?
• What Are The 6 Types Of Intellectual Property?
• How Do I Know Whether to Register My IP Federally With the United States Patent and Trademark Office or With the U.S. Copyright Office?