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

Copyright Act: 17 U.S.C. - Federal law governing copyright protection and ownership, particularly relevant for 'work for hire' provisions

Defend Trade Secrets Act: Federal law providing uniform protection for trade secrets, including remedies for misappropriation

National Labor Relations Act: Federal law protecting employees' rights in the context of employment agreements and invention 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 workplace rights

State Contract Laws: State-specific rules governing contract formation, enforcement, and interpretation

State Non-Compete Restrictions: State-specific limitations on non-compete agreements and their enforceability

California Labor Code Section 2870: Example of state-specific law limiting employer rights to employee inventions created outside scope of employment

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

Work for Hire Doctrine: Legal concept under copyright law determining ownership of works created during employment

First Amendment: Constitutional protection potentially affecting confidentiality and non-disclosure provisions

Patent and Copyright Clause: Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of Constitution - Constitutional basis for patent and copyright protection

Stanford v. Roche: Key Supreme Court case establishing importance of precise assignment language in invention agreements