Chicago: The Modern Hub of Inventive Minds Chicago has transformed itself into a premier destination for innovation by fostering a collaborative ecosystem where ideas are not just born, but legally fortified. As of 2026, the city stands as a “multi-industry startup engine,” powered by a unique culture of relationship-building and expert legal guidance from leaders…
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. For a reissue patent number, include the reissue…
A Prototype Helps You Prove Your Invention Do you need a prototype? For obvious reasons you need to prove – first to yourself, later to investors or companies – that your idea works. For an invention that is a process or a business method, physical proof may not be possible or necessary. For an invention…
If you’ve come up with a new invention but don’t yet have the funds to file a patent application, there are a few strategies you can use to help protect your invention in the meantime: Keep your invention secret: One of the most important ways to protect your invention before filing a patent application is…
The Crucial Factors Affecting Inventors on the Path to Patent Success Introduction: Inventions have the power to shape our world, fuel progress, and revolutionize industries. However, for inventors, securing a patent is a critical step in protecting their intellectual property and reaping the rewards of their ideas. While the patent process can be complex and…
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…
