Federal Copyright Act: 17 U.S.C. - Governs copyright protection, registration, transfer, and enforcement of creative works including literary, musical, dramatic, artistic, and certain other intellectual works

Federal Patent Act: 35 U.S.C. - Regulates the granting and transfer of patent rights, covering inventions and discoveries across various fields

Federal Trademark Act (Lanham Act): 15 U.S.C. - Controls trademark registration, protection, and transfer of marks used in commerce to identify goods or services

Defend Trade Secrets Act: 18 U.S.C. - Federal law providing uniform protection for trade secrets, including their definition and transfer requirements

State Trade Secret Laws: State-specific regulations governing trade secret protection and transfer, often following the Uniform Trade Secrets Act model

State Contract Laws: State-specific requirements for valid contract formation, enforcement, and interpretation affecting IP assignments

Work-for-Hire Doctrine: Legal concept determining ownership of copyrightable works created by employees or contractors during employment

Employment Classification Rules: Laws distinguishing between employees and independent contractors, affecting default IP ownership rights

Statute of Frauds: Legal requirement that certain contracts, including IP assignments, must be in writing to be enforceable

USPTO Assignment Requirements: Specific rules and procedures for recording patent and trademark assignments with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Copyright Office Recording Requirements: Procedures and requirements for recording transfers of copyright ownership with the U.S. Copyright Office

International IP Treaties: Various international agreements affecting IP rights and their transfer across borders, such as the Berne Convention and PCT

Industry-Specific Regulations: Specialized rules and requirements for IP transfers in specific sectors like software, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals