Federal Patent Act: 35 U.S.C. - Federal legislation governing patent rights and assignments, crucial for determining ownership of employee inventions

Federal Copyright Act: 17 U.S.C. - Governs copyright ownership and work-for-hire doctrine in employment relationships

Federal Trademark Act (Lanham Act): 15 U.S.C. - Regulates trademark rights and assignments in employment context

Defend Trade Secrets Act: Federal law providing uniform trade secret protection, including provisions for employee disclosure and whistleblower immunity

National Labor Relations Act: Federal law protecting employees' rights in employment agreements, including IP assignments

State Trade Secret Laws: State-specific regulations protecting confidential business information and trade secrets

State Employment Laws: State-specific regulations governing employment relationships and contract terms

State Contract Laws: State-specific rules governing formation and enforcement of contracts

State Invention Assignment Laws: State-specific laws (e.g., California Labor Code 2870) limiting scope of employee invention assignments

Work-for-hire Doctrine: Legal principle 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 with employer resources

Consideration Requirements: Legal requirement for valid contract formation, ensuring adequate compensation for IP assignments

Notice Requirements: State-mandated notifications to employees regarding their rights to certain inventions

Temporal Scope Provisions: Requirements for clearly defining time periods for pre-existing IP, current work, and post-employment obligations

State Non-compete Restrictions: State-specific limitations on non-compete provisions that may affect IP assignment agreements (e.g., California restrictions)