Legal Question in Intellectual Property in California

Patent law doesn't apply to written material such as articles for magazines. You are probably thinking of copyrights and copyright law.

Short of actually seeing a lawyer that specializes in intellectual property (patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets), I'd suggest you consider one or both of the following: (1) buy a paperback self-help law book on copyright law, intended as a guide for authors like yourself; and/or (2) contact the magazine by phone or via its Web site to see if they have an "information for authors" kit that covers submission of material in general, and maybe copyright info in particular.

I think you'll find that most magazines have published information and policies for authors desiring to submit articles, which should cover, among other things, copyright issues.