Intellectual Property Lawyers for Salem, Oregon
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Jason P.
Jason is a self-starting, go-getting lawyer who takes a pragmatic approach to helping his clients. He co-founded Fortify Law because he was not satisfied with the traditional approach to providing legal services. He firmly believes that legal costs should be predictable, transparent and value-driven. Jason’s entrepreneurial mindset enables him to better understand his clients’ needs. His first taste of entrepreneurship came from an early age when he helped manage his family’s small free range cattle farm. Every morning, before school, he would deliver hay to a herd of 50 hungry cows. In addition, he was responsible for sweeping "the shop" at his parent's 40-employee HVAC business. Before becoming a lawyer, he clerked at the Lewis & Clark Small Business Legal Clinic where he handled a diverse range of legal issues including establishing new businesses, registering trademarks, and drafting contracts. He also spent time working with the in-house team at adidas® where, among other things, he reviewed and negotiated complex agreements and created training materials for employees. He also previously worked with Meriwether Group, a Portland-based business consulting firm focused on accelerating the growth of disruptive consumer brands and facilitating founder exits. These experiences have enabled Jason to not only understand the unique legal hurdles that can threaten a business, but also help position them for growth. Jason's practice focuses on Business and Intellectual Property Law, including: -Reviewing and negotiating contracts -Resolving internal corporate disputes -Creating employment and HR policies -Registering and protecting intellectual property -Forming new businesses and subsidiaries -Facilitating Business mergers, acquisitions, and exit strategies -Conducting international business transactions In his free time, Jason is an adventure junkie and gear-head. He especially enjoys backpacking, kayaking, and snowboarding. He is also a technology enthusiast, craft beer connoisseur, and avid soccer player.
"Very nice! Great on responding back and being available! Recommend 100% !"
Curt B.
Curt Brown has experience advising clients on a variety of franchising, business litigation, transactional, and securities law matters. Mr. Brown's accolades include: - Super Lawyers Rising Star - California Lawyer of the Year by The Daily Journal - Pro Bono Attorney of the Year the USC Public Interest Law Fund Curt started his legal career in the Los Angeles office of the prestigious firm of Irell & Manella LLP, where his practice focused on a wide variety of complex civil litigation matters, including securities litigation, antitrust, trademark, bankruptcy, and class action defense. Mr. Brown also has experience advising mergers and acquisitions and international companies concerning cyber liability and class action defense. He is admitted in California, Florida, D.C., Washington, Illinois, Colorado, and Michigan.
"I was very impressed with the responsiveness and knowledge brought to my situation."
Jim B.
Since 2002, when I first received my law license and began practicing in criminal litigation, I have dedicated myself to providing competent and impassioned legal representation to my clients. Transitioning into business and intellectual property law and serving the Oregon community under the banner of INTELLEQUITY since 2016, I embarked on a mission to offer an unparalleled level of personalized legal guidance that empowers my clients through understanding, support, and legal mastery. As a seasoned attorney, I recognize that behind every case is a person with a distinct set of emotions, aspirations, and challenges. This is why my approach to legal services is not just about cases and statutes; it's about people and their lives. Whether it's navigating the intricacies of business law or safeguarding your intellectual property, I'm here to provide more than just professional counsel—I offer a compassionate, personalized approach to every case. This means keeping you well-informed at every step, empowering you with in-depth understanding, and steering you towards decisions that are legally sound and, more importantly, right for you.
"Great person to work with. He helped gain a better understanding of my own business."
Alexander M.
Broad area practice including Business (domestic & international), IP, Employment, Family Law, Administrative, etc. My focus is a direct, no-BS approach with fast turn around times on completed work.
"Alexander delivered fast, thorough, and practical legal guidance. He identified 22 issues with my MSA, provided a clear MSO/PC structure opinion, and mapped out insurance requirements for both entities — all within 24 hours. Highly recommend for any healthcare startup needing Florida specific legal expertise."
Jessica M.
Jessica Molligan is an attorney with twenty years of experience in family law, bankruptcy, and litigation.
"Jessica was great to work with. We got a quick cliam deed done and it was an easy process to go through with her. Highly reccomend hiring her for any of your needs."
June 28, 2023
Shanon G.
Have experience in contract, family law, municipality work, criminal defense, litigation, some wills and estates as well. Been practicing law for over 22 years.
December 4, 2023
McCoy S.
P. McCoy Smith is the Founding Attorney at Lex Pan Law LLC, a full-service technology and intellectual property law firm based in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A and Opsequio LLC, an open source compliance consultancy. Prior to his current position, he spent 20 years in the legal department of a Fortune 50 multinational technology company as a business unit intellectual property specialist; among his duties was setting up the free & open source legal function and policies for that company. He preceded his in-house experience with 8 years in private practice in a large New York City-based boutique intellectual property law firm, working simultaneously as a U.S. patent litigator and U.S. patent prosecutor. He was also a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office prior to attending law school. He is licensed to practice law in Oregon, California & New York and to prosecute patent applications in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office; he is also a registered Trademark and Patent Agent with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. He has degrees from Colorado State University (Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, with honors), Johns Hopkins University (Masters of Liberal Arts) and the University of Virginia (Juris Doctor). While in private practice, and continuing into his in-house career, he taught portions of the U.S. patent bar exam for a long-standing and well-known patent bar exam preparation course, and from 2014-2020 was on the editorial board of the Journal of Open Law, Technology & Society (JOLTS), and starting in 2023 will be on the editorial board of the American Intellectual Property Law Quarterly Journal (AIPLAQJ). He is the author or co-author of chapters on open source and copyright and patents in “Open Source Law, Policy & Practice” (2022, Oxford University Press). He lectures frequently around the world on free and open source issues as well as other intellectual property topics.
August 23, 2025
Alexander C.
I am a solo practitioner that runs my own legal practice. I am currently licensed in 16 states and I'm working to expand that reach.
Neil R.
Neil Rust is a transactional attorney with almost four decades of experience ranging across a broad range of fields, including M&A, finance, structured finance, VC and general corporate. Before moving to Oregon, Mr. Rust was a partner at the Los Angeles office of an international law for 26 years and the Century City office of a national law firm for 5 years. During his big firm tenure, Neil Rust gathered experience across multiple industries and enjoys counselling clients as much as drafting and negotiating.
Grace C.
May 12, 2026
Grace C.
I’m Grace E. Carlson, an intellectual property & transactional attorney, founder of aTMospheric IP, LLC, with over 6 years of combined law firm and in-house experience. I help businesses, startups, creators, and entrepreneurs draft, review, and negotiate commercial contracts while protecting their brands and innovations. My expertise includes SaaS agreements, MSAs, NDAs, licensing contracts, vendor and partnership agreements, as well as comprehensive trademark strategy, copyright matters, AI-related IP issues, and technology transactions. I’ve supported global companies including Robinhood, Iron Mountain, and Microsoft, and provided flexible in-house counsel through Axiom Law across fintech, SaaS, consumer goods, and data center industries. Known for translating complex legal issues into clear, practical solutions, I focus on delivering contracts that reduce risk, support go-to-market strategies, and scale with your business. Whether you need a custom SaaS agreement, trademark-integrated contracts, or AI compliance review, I provide responsive, business-minded counsel. Bar Admissions: Washington (2020) & Oregon (2021) J.D., Seattle University School of Law Let’s get your contracts and IP protections done right — efficiently and effectively.
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Roman V.
I'm an experienced trademark attorney and enjoy helping clients protect and grow their brand names through trademark registration and enforcement. I've worked with a wide variety of clients in different industries, including e-commerce, software as a service (SaaS), and consumer goods, to register trademarks for product names, logos, and slogans, both in the US and abroad.
"Roman was very helpful and responsive in submitting my companies trademark."
July 1, 2021
Daniel R.
Daniel is an experienced corporate attorney and works closely with corporations, privately held companies, high-net worth individuals, family offices, start-ups and entrepreneurs. Daniel graduated from the Gonzaga University School of Law and is licensed to practice law in Illinois.
Intellectual Property Legal Questions and Answers
Intellectual Property
Employment Handbook
Florida
Employment handbook intellectual property policy?
I recently started a new job and was provided with an employee handbook that outlines company policies and procedures. I am concerned about the intellectual property policy outlined in the handbook, as it is not clear to me whether I have any ownership rights over the work I am creating for the company. I would like to understand my rights with respect to the intellectual property I am creating for the company, and what I can do to ensure that I am protected.
Daniel D.
Without seeing the handbook it would be difficult to answer your question. Generally, what an employee creates for the Company is Company property, unless you have an agreement with them that states otherwise. It would also be helpful to know if you are an employee or independent contractor. Sometimes Company's give employee handbooks to independent contractors but the classification of whether you are an employee or independent contractor is important to this analysis.
Intellectual Property
Work For Hire Agreement
Arizona
Is a Work For Hire Agreement necessary for freelance graphic design work?
As a freelance graphic designer, I have been approached by a client to create a series of designs for their marketing campaign. While discussing the project details, the client mentioned the possibility of a Work For Hire Agreement. I am unsure if such an agreement is necessary in this situation and whether it would affect my ownership rights or future use of the designs. I would like to understand the implications and whether it is in my best interest to enter into such an agreement.
Randy M.
Whether you need a Work For Hire Agreement really depends on the project and what both sides are trying to get out of it. You’re not automatically required to sign one, but saying yes or no to that clause can completely change who owns the work and what rights you’ll have moving forward. Just because a client calls something “work for hire” in a contract doesn’t mean it actually qualifies under the law, especially when it comes to freelance design work. Here’s the thing. Under U.S. copyright law, “work made for hire” is a specific exception to the general rule that the creator owns the work. For a freelance project to qualify, two conditions have to be met. First, both parties need to sign a written agreement that says the work is considered “made for hire.” Second, the type of work has to fall into one of nine defined categories under 17 U.S.C. § 101. These include things like contributions to collective works, audiovisual pieces, instructional texts, or compilations. The list is pretty narrow. Standard marketing materials, logos, brochures, or campaign graphics usually don’t make the cut. Courts take a strict approach here, so just checking a box in a contract doesn’t magically make it enforceable. If your project doesn’t meet both requirements, labeling it “work for hire” doesn’t hold legal weight. In that case, the default is that you, the designer, own the copyright unless there’s a separate written agreement transferring it to the client. That leads us to ownership. If there’s no valid Work For Hire clause and no assignment of rights, you retain full copyright. That gives you control over how the work is used beyond whatever license you’ve granted. So if you created a logo and the contract only licenses it for digital use, the client can’t later slap it on T-shirts or license it to a partner without getting your permission first. But if there is a valid Work For Hire clause or an explicit copyright assignment, then the client becomes the legal owner. That means they can use it, change it, resell it, or do whatever they want with it, without needing to pay you again or ask for further approval. You’d have no say over how the work is used, and unless the agreement gives you permission, you wouldn’t even be able to include it in your portfolio. If you want more flexibility, there are alternatives. You can structure the deal with a copyright assignment that still reserves certain rights for you. For example, you could keep the right to show the work in your portfolio or limit resale to direct competitors. Or you could stick with licensing. An exclusive license gives the client broad rights but you still own the work. A non-exclusive license is more limited and usually makes sense for templates or assets used with multiple clients. Portfolio rights, by the way, are often negotiable. Even in exclusive arrangements, you can add a clause that lets you show the work on your website, social profiles, or print materials. Just make sure it’s clearly spelled out. Some corporate clients won’t allow it at all unless it’s written into the agreement. From a practical standpoint, your decision should take into account how much you’re getting paid, how the work will be used, and whether you want to reuse or showcase it later. If you’re giving up all rights, price accordingly. Clients pushing for Work For Hire terms often just want clean, uncomplicated ownership, especially for branding or long-term use. But that doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate. You might agree to transfer ownership only after full payment is received. You might keep the right to use rejected drafts. You might even allow Work For Hire treatment for the final deliverables but retain some creative rights behind the scenes. Also, keep an eye out for boilerplate clauses. Some clients include Work For Hire language by default, not realizing their project doesn’t meet the legal standard. Just because it’s in the contract doesn’t make it enforceable. If the work doesn’t meet the criteria, the clause won’t hold unless there’s a separate valid assignment of rights. When in doubt, it’s smart to run the agreement by an attorney who understands copyright law and freelance creative work. Contracts Counsel connects you with attorneys who handle exactly this kind of issue.
Intellectual Property
Content Creator Agreement
Washington
Can a content creator agreement be terminated by either party at any time and without cause?
I am a content creator who recently entered into a content creator agreement with a media company. The agreement does not explicitly mention termination, and I am wondering if either party can terminate the agreement at any time and without cause. I am concerned about the potential implications of termination without cause on my rights, compensation, and intellectual property, and I would like to understand my rights and obligations under the agreement.
Merry K.
It would be a good idea for you to have the agreement reviewed by an attorney. You said there's no explicit language regarding termination or notice - is there something implied? With no language regarding termination, most likely either party can terminate at any time, with just a moment's notice, and no reason given. You have asked a lot of questions - I suggest that you post a project here on Contracts Counsel, and ask for an attorney well versed in intellectual property (not me) to discuss your rights, as that is probably the most important issue. An attorney who can also review the language of the entire agreement would be very helpful. (I'm sorry, but I'm not available for this project).
Intellectual Property
Copyright Search
Texas
Is it necessary to conduct a copyright search before using a specific image for commercial purposes?
I am a freelance graphic designer and I recently came across a striking image that I would like to incorporate into a client's commercial project. However, I want to ensure that I am not infringing on any copyright laws. I have heard about copyright searches, but I am unsure if they are necessary or if there are any potential legal consequences for using an image without conducting such a search. I want to make sure I am taking the necessary precautions to protect myself and my client from any legal issues.
Randy M.
When you’re preparing work for a client, the key issue isn’t whether you’ve run a formal copyright search, but whether you have the legal right to use the image. Copyright law automatically protects most images, so relying on the absence of a watermark or a registration record isn’t enough to keep you safe. Copyright Protection and Ownership Under U.S. law, copyright attaches the moment an original work is created and fixed in a tangible form (17 U.S.C. § 102). That means virtually every photo, illustration, or graphic you find online is already protected. Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office strengthens enforcement rights, but it isn’t required for protection. Likewise, the lack of a © symbol doesn’t mean an image is free to use. Because there’s no central database covering all copyrighted images, a formal copyright search isn’t practical or reliable in most cases. Even if you searched the Copyright Office’s records, you’d only be looking at registered works, which are a small fraction of what’s actually protected. Risks of Using Unlicensed Images If you incorporate an image without permission into a commercial project, you and your client could face serious consequences. Infringement can lead to cease-and-desist orders, statutory damages of $750 to $30,000 per work (and up to $150,000 for willful infringement) under 17 U.S.C. § 504(c), and potential liability for the copyright holder’s attorney’s fees. Courts generally view commercial use as disfavoring any “fair use” defense. Even if you didn’t intend to infringe, liability can still be imposed. Best Practices for Designers The best practice is to focus on obtaining images from sources where the licensing terms are clear and legally sound. For example: • Use reputable stock photo agencies such as Adobe Stock, Shutterstock, or Getty, where commercial licenses are explicit. • Choose Creative Commons images that allow commercial use (e.g., CC BY or CC0), but review license terms carefully. • Confirm public domain status when applicable, such as U.S. federal government works. • Contact creators directly for written permission if you want to use their work. • Keep copies of receipts, license agreements, or permission letters so you can show proof of rights if challenged. Reverse image search tools like Google Images or TinEye can be useful to trace the origin of an image and identify whether it’s sold or licensed by a third party. However, this is a step in due diligence, not a substitute for obtaining rights. Professional Responsibility As a freelance designer, your contracts may hold you responsible for ensuring that the materials you deliver don’t infringe anyone else’s rights. Delivering work that exposes your client to infringement claims can damage your reputation and your client relationship. The safest practice is to assume that any image you didn’t create yourself is protected until you confirm otherwise and secure the proper license.
Intellectual Property
Trademark Assignment Agreement
Maryland
Can a trademark assignment agreement be used to transfer ownership of a trademark from one company to another?
I am part of a small startup company that has recently entered into a partnership with a larger corporation. As part of this partnership, we have agreed to transfer ownership of our trademark to the larger corporation. We have been advised to use a trademark assignment agreement for this purpose, but I want to ensure that this is the correct legal document to use and that it will effectively transfer ownership of the trademark to the new company.
Roman V.
Hello, I'd be glad to review the details of the trademark assignment and confirm it properly transfers ownership of your trademark. As a trademark attorney, I have helped clients in similar situations both draft trademark assignments and record them with the USPTO to ensure that the trademark reflects the right ownership information. I would be happy to have a brief free 15 minute consult call to learn more details and see how I can help. Thanks for your consideration. Best, Roman rvayner@vaynerlegal.com 414 628 9099 www.vaynerlegal.com
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I got 5 bids within 24h of posting my project. I choose the person who provided the most detailed and relevant intro letter, highlighting their experience relevant to my project. I am very satisfied with the outcome and quality of the two agreements that were produced, they actually far exceed my expectations.
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