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West Virginia law

Intellectual Property Laws in West Virginia.

Core intellectual-property rights — patents, federal trademarks, and copyrights — are governed by federal law and are enforced exclusively (patents and copyrights) or primarily (federal trademarks) in federal court. Patent and copyright claims for West Virginia-centered disputes are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern or Southern District of West Virginia. West Virginia state law adds the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (W. Va. Code § 47-22) and state-level trademark registration (W. Va. Code § 47-2).

Last verified: 2026-04-20

State law

Key West Virginia Statutes

West Virginia Uniform Trade Secrets ActW. Va. Code § 47-22

West Virginia's enactment of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act — the principal state-law basis for trade-secret misappropriation claims.

West Virginia Trademark RegistrationW. Va. Code § 47-2

State-level trademark registration available through the West Virginia Secretary of State.

State law

Official Sources

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 West Virginia.

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