Mississippi law

Intellectual Property Laws in Mississippi.

Most intellectual property law is federal: patents (35 U.S.C.), copyright (17 U.S.C.), and federal trademarks (15 U.S.C.). Mississippi provides state-law trademark registration through the Secretary of State, common-law trademark protection, trade-secret protection under the Mississippi Uniform Trade Secrets Act, and a right of publicity under common law. Patent and federal trademark matters are litigated in the U.S. District Court for the Northern or Southern District of Mississippi.

Last verified: 2026-04-17

State law

Key Mississippi Statutes

Federal Patent Law35 U.S.C.

Patents are entirely federal. USPTO issues utility, design, and plant patents. Patent litigation is exclusively federal.

Federal Copyright Act17 U.S.C.

Copyright protection attaches automatically upon fixation in a tangible medium. Registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is required before filing an infringement suit.

Federal Trademark (Lanham Act)15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq.

Federal trademark registration through the USPTO provides nationwide priority and access to federal court.

Mississippi Trademark RegistrationMiss. Code Ann. § 75-25-1 et seq.

State-level trademark registration through the Mississippi Secretary of State. Provides state-law priority within Mississippi.

Mississippi Uniform Trade Secrets ActMiss. Code Ann. § 75-26-1 et seq.

Misappropriation of trade secrets actionable with injunctive relief, damages, and exemplary damages up to double actual damages for willful and malicious misappropriation.

State law

Official Sources

USPTO U.S. Copyright Office Mississippi Secretary of State — Trademarks

Not Legal Advice

This page summarizes publicly available statutes and rules for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by viewing this content. Laws change — always verify with the primary source or consult a licensed attorney in Mississippi.

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Intellectual Property Laws in Mississippi.

Key Mississippi Statutes

Official Sources

Not Legal Advice

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