Intellectual Property Lawyers for Business Owners: Protecting What You’ve Built

How IP shapes contracts, disputes, and growth

When most people hear the term intellectual property lawyers, they picture attorneys handling trademark or patent filings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. But for business owners, intellectual property (IP) issues often arise long before — and long after — anything is formally filed.

At Giles Law, we focus on the business and litigation side of intellectual property. That means helping companies safeguard the things that give them an edge: content, trade secrets, customer lists, and proprietary business processes.

Contracts Are Your First Line of Defense
Your agreements with employees, contractors, and business partners play a critical role in protecting your IP. Without clear provisions on confidentiality, ownership, and use of intellectual property, you may find your business assets walking out the door with a former employee — or being claimed by a third party who helped you develop them.

Common Scenarios Where IP Overlaps with Business Law:

• An employee develops content or code but ownership isn’t defined.
• A vendor agreement doesn’t clearly outline who owns deliverables.
• A business deal fails, and parties fight over who owns the marketing materials, trade name, or concept.

As business attorneys, we help clients build strong contracts that proactively avoid these disputes.

When Litigation Becomes Unavoidable
Even with solid agreements, disputes happen. Intellectual property often ends up at the heart of business litigation involving breach of contract, unfair competition, or fiduciary duties. Our role is to help clients enforce their rights, protect their interests, and seek remedies when intellectual property is misused.

Takeaway for Business Owners:
Intellectual property isn’t just about registrations — it’s about how your ideas and content live within your business structure. Working with attorneys who understand both business law and intellectual property disputes ensures you’re prepared for growth and protected against risk.