How Can I Save Money Before I See A Patent Lawyer?

Ok, I’m convinced a patent for my invention is worthwhile, now what??? Once you have gone through the steps of determining if your idea is patent subject matter (usually an article that is manufactured or a process of creating something), you can use some search tools to see if your idea already exists. It should […]

Patent Types: Design Patent vs. Utility Patent

Overview If you have created a new invention, a patent allows you to protect your rights to that invention. Patents afford inventors the exclusive right to use, sell, and make their invention for a specific period of time and therefore constitutes a limited monopoly. A patent is awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO); a […]

Creating a Patent Strategy for Small Business

Overview The birth and growth of a company often begin with thorough research and product development. Substantial marketing investment will eventually need to be made, and product releases will have to be planned. This makes most entrepreneurs eager to focus on the research and development component of the company’s growth while neglecting their intellectual property […]

How Long Is A Patent Valid?

Overview A design patent is valid for 15 years from the date of issuance. A utility patent is valid for 20 years from the date of filing its filing or the filing of its parent application. Though in some instances, time may be added by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) should the patent examination process incur […]

Is There A Patent Attorney Near Me That Can Help My Business?

Overview SCENARIO: You have a unique idea and need to get a patent to protect it. Your advisors have told you a patent will allow you to obtain monopoly rights for the invention. A patent is the offering of a property right to an inventor.  This grant confers to the inventor exclusive rights to a […]

Patents on Pot – Intellectual Property Protection For Weed Is Getting Sticky

Overview Marijuana entrepreneurs have been looking for ways to innovate in the weed-derivative market. They’ve also pursued the creation, patenting, and protection of their unique strains, which are generally the product of years of research. However, some cannabis entrepreneurs have been struggling to obtain the patents they seek, as federal law still considers marijuana illegal. […]

Should You File Your Own Patent Application?

Are you protected if you have filed your own provisional or non-provisional patent application? Likely not. Writing a patent application is an extremely technical process, and patent attorneys are often taught under another attorney for several years before they write patent applications on their own. Over the last 20 years, our firm has found that every inventor […]

Are Provisional Patent Applications Published?

Overview Do you know that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office issued over 370,000 patents in FY2019 alone? This is on top of the 10,000,000 that they have previously issued over the last two centuries. These, along with non-provisional patent applications older than 18 months, are publicly searchable on the USPTO’s online database. There are, however, two ways […]

5 Questions You Must Ask Before Hiring A Patent Firm

Overview Intellectual property has become a valuable asset for any person or business. After coming up with an innovative product, your next step should be consulting a patent firm to either prosecute a new patent or litigate existing issues. A patent firm is more of a business partner than a one-time investment. Indeed, you’ll constantly […]

The Worldwide Patent

How Do I Secure A Worldwide Patent? Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a worldwide patent – your patent does have some limitations in both time and space. Specifically, a patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is only enforceable in the United States. Can I Rule The World With […]