GENERAL PATENT QUESTIONS What right does a patent provide? A patent owner has the right to decide who may – or may not – use the patented invention for the period in which the invention is protected. In other words, patent protection means that the invention cannot be commercially made, used, distributed, imported, or sold…
ARE YOUR PATENT OFFICE MAINTENANCE FEES DUE? Who can pay? Maintenance fees and any necessary surcharges may be paid by the patentee or by any person or organization on behalf of a patentee. What to include with payment? You must include both the patent number and corresponding application number with your maintenance fee payment….
How do I apply for a patent? Inventors may apply for one of two types of patent applications: (1) A nonprovisional application, which begins the examination process and may lead to a patent; and (2) A provisional application, which establishes a filing date but does not begin the examination process. How do I know if…
The United States Patent Laws provide that any person who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent, subject to the conditions and requirements of the law. NEW AND USEFUL An invention is not new if the inventor…
Intellectual property refers to the expressions of creativity such as naming of goods and services in interstate commerce, inventive concepts, art and designs. Individual legal rights to protection of this creativity can be found in patent, trademark and copyright law. An intellectual property law attorney can help explain the differences and similarities among these three…
Naming Generally It is common for most people to confuse patent, trademark and copyright protection when it comes to naming. A person might attempt to patent a name of a business, music group, product or other business purposes. However, patents do not afford protection for names. Patents generally protect inventions and ideas. Names would be…
If you are looking to grow your brand in a short period of time, brand licensing might be the way to go. It can be challenging to find the right licensing company and an agreement that keeps expansion in mind while protecting a brand’s image and reputation. While it’s rare to reap the benefits of…
The United States Patent Laws provide that any person who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent, subject to the conditions and requirements of the law. NEW AND USEFUL An invention is not new if the inventor…
Should I Call a Patent Attorney? Allgaier Patent Solutions receives calls and emails from inventors who are interested in protecting their ideas. Most inventors are interested in marketing, licensing or selling their ideas. Most inventors would mention that they have upwards of 5 ideas and are ready to move forward right away. Most patent attorneys…
Parts of a Patent Application The USPTO defines what needs to be included in a patent application. Utility, design and provisional applications all require similar elements but utility applications have the most requirements. The application must have a complete specification, drawings (if needed) and the filing fee and an oath or declaration. Oath or Declaration…
