Patent Act (35 U.S.C.): Primary federal law governing patent rights in the United States, establishing the framework for patent protection, assignment, and enforcement
America Invents Act (AIA): Major patent reform legislation that switched the U.S. to a first-to-file system and modified various patent procedures and requirements
Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): International treaty providing a unified procedure for filing patent applications in member countries, relevant if international rights are involved
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC): State-adopted uniform law governing commercial transactions, including contract formation and enforcement principles
State Contract Laws: State-specific legislation governing contract formation, enforcement, and interpretation, including Statute of Frauds requirements
State Employment Laws: Laws governing employee invention rights, including shop rights doctrine and hired-to-invent doctrine
Securities Acts: Federal laws (1933 and 1934 Acts) governing securities transactions, relevant if patent assignment is part of a larger transaction involving securities
Antitrust Laws: Federal laws (Sherman Act, Clayton Act, FTC Act) preventing anti-competitive practices in patent assignments and licensing
USPTO Recording Requirements: Federal regulations (37 CFR ยง 3.11) governing the recording of patent assignments with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Trade Secret Laws: State and federal laws protecting confidential business information, often relevant in conjunction with patent assignments
Tax Laws: Federal and state tax regulations governing the treatment of intellectual property transfers and associated income
