Unlike legal advice, general discussions of the law do not require a screening for potential conflicts of interest. Your conversations with your attorney are also part of a confidential and privileged relationship. By contrast, general discussions of the law are open to the public. In summary, the differences between general discussions and legal advice go much deeper than the attorney's desire to let potential clients know what the attorney can do for them. The attorney-client relationship carries with it a host of rights and duties, such as those concerning confidentiality and conflicts of interest, that are not present when an attorney provides general information in a book or speech.
Legal advice is expensive.
The more you know about the law, the more you can save. You'll be more likely to find an attorney who is well-suited to your particular needs. Discussions with your attorney can also focus more on important facts and alternative courses of action, and less on providing you with general background. Moreover, a basic understanding of intellectual property law can actually earn you money if you identify innovations that can be patented or copyrighted and then licensed. The chapters of this book are arranged by topic.