If another party uses your intellectual property in an illegal manner, this could generate strong emotions and financial challenges. In some instances, these violations can tarnish a brand’s image, confuse customers, result in the loss of sensitive information and hurt profits. Regrettably, many business owners face these serious challenges due to the violation of their IP rights.
It is helpful to take a look at statistics on IP violations, not only to realize the scope of this serious problem but also to remember that you are not alone if you find yourself in this predicament.
Intellectual property cases in the U.S.
The United States Courts published data on intellectual property cases across the country, and these statistics show a notable increase in IP cases seen in U.S. during the last 20 years. The U.S. Courts report that copyright cases reached an all-time high in 2018, with more than 6,200 copyright case filings surfacing in U.S. district courts. During 2018, district courts also saw 3,694 patent case filings and 3,221 trademark case filings.
Intellectual property cases in California
Between 1996 and 2018, more copyright case filings occurred in California than any other state. During this period, California saw more than 16,800 copyright case filings, representing 22% of such cases in the entire country. California also had the highest number of trademark filings (16,526) and more than 13,400 patent filings.
If you find yourself in the middle of an intellectual property dispute, it is essential to approach your case on an individualized basis and have a firm understanding of steps you can take to safeguard your IP.