Intellectual property law often intersects with commercial law, which governs the areas of business, commerce, and consumer transactions. For example, intellectual property owners may license their property and/or share it with other parties under the protection of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Disputes may arise out of these agreements, resulting in causes of action not only for infringement of intellectual property rights, but, e.g., breach of contract/breach of NDA, unfair competition, and/or tortious interference.
Commercial claims are governed by their own set of laws, and damages available in connection with these claims may include contract damages (including lost profits), rescission, loss of business goodwill or damage to the plaintiff’s reputation, unjust enrichment, and even punitive damages.