If your invention is stolen by a third party, your business could be harmed. ...
Sometimes an inventor might try to combine two existing devices to form a new device, and then they might seek patent protection for the new device. A major obstacle that they may need to overcome is the non-obviousness requirement for patent protect...
Patent rights last only for a limited period, and the right to sue other parties for infringing on the patent is based on this period. Thus, inventors and other patent owners may want to calculate the expiration date of their patent. This will depend...
After a patent has been issued, the owner has the power to enforce the patent. Most patent owners start by negotiating with the infringer because enforcing a patent is a long, expensive procedure. Often, negotiations end with the infringer agreeing t...
Many inventors hire a patent attorney to help them navigate the application process, but this is not always necessary or worthwhile. Attorney fees tend to be very expensive, often costing more than the application fees. Some individuals and small bus...
An inventor who wants to protect their invention in the U.S. needs to get a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. One of the main patent rights is the right to prevent someone else from getting a patent for the same invention. In many ind...
Patents can protect inventions from infringement. ...
Many inventors and other patent owners provide products or services around the world. However, the protection of a patent granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ends at the U.S. border. You cannot use a U.S. patent to prevent someone elsewhe...
When deciding whether to appeal an examiner’s adverse decision, an applicant will need to weigh the cost and investment of time against the likelihood of success. Usually, an applicant can get an interview with the patent examiner to determine whethe...
Sometimes an inventor needs to provide the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with drawings of their invention. This can help the examiner understand how the invention works. While some inventors hire professionals to make these drawings, this is not a...
