Federal Patent Act: 35 U.S.C. - Federal legislation governing patent rights, crucial for determining ownership and assignment of patentable inventions created during employment

Federal Copyright Act: 17 U.S.C. - Governs copyright ownership and 'work for hire' doctrine, determining rights to copyrightable works created by employees

Federal Trademark Act: Lanham Act (15 U.S.C.) - Addresses trademark ownership and rights, relevant for employee-created branding and marks

Defend Trade Secrets Act: Federal law providing uniform trade secret protection across states, including remedies for misappropriation and whistleblower protections

National Labor Relations Act: Federal law protecting employees' rights to organize and bargain collectively, affecting terms that can be included in IP assignments

State Trade Secret Laws: State-specific regulations governing trade secret protection, complementing federal DTSA with local requirements and remedies

State Employment Laws: State-specific regulations governing employment relationships and restrictions on employee agreements

State Invention Assignment Laws: State-specific laws (e.g., California Labor Code ยง 2870) limiting scope of invention assignment and protecting employee rights

Work for Hire Doctrine: Legal principle under copyright law determining ownership of works created within scope of employment

Shop Rights Doctrine: Common law principle giving employers non-exclusive rights to use employee inventions created using employer resources

State Non-Compete Restrictions: State-specific limitations on non-compete agreements that may affect IP assignment provisions

Constitutional Considerations: First Amendment and Fifth Amendment implications for IP assignments and restrictions on employee rights

Contract Formation Requirements: Common law principles governing contract validity, including offer, acceptance, and consideration

Unconscionability Doctrine: Legal principle protecting against unfair or one-sided contract terms in IP assignments