Recent Patent Articles
Software patents need to drill down to the core algorithms
Bottom line: Software patent specifications require disclosure of an algorithm for all means-plus-function limitations. Otherwise, the claim may be invalid for being indefinite. The problem may not be related solely to means limitations since a … [Read More...]
Provisional patent application: a cheap option?
A provisional patent application (PPA) is not a cheap option but it is a lower cost alternative to a non provisional patent application. The reason is that although the provisional patent application has lower minimum requirements than the … [Read More...]
Licensing Termination Provisions
Licensing Termination Provisions for Under-performing License Agreements After securing a patent on an invention and you are making money, another company may want to use the patented technology in their product or service. To give a business the … [Read More...]
Patent Marking: Burden of production and burden of proof
Failure to properly mark a product with its patent number limits an infringer's liability for damages. Infringers have the burden of production to initially identify products which the patentee failed to mark. The patentee then has the burden of … [Read More...]
Interview with Joe Platnick of the Pasadena Angels
This past holiday season, I had the opportunity to ask Joe Platnick of the Pasadena Angels a few questions about his group. I want to thank Joe for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions and to help educate our community … [Read More...]
Patent search websites
The two online patent search resources that I utilize the most to retrieve patent documents and to research patents are freepatentsonline.com and the uspto.gov website.The uspto.gov website provides two different databases. One for issued … [Read More...]
Pros and cons of filing a continuation-in-part application
Bottom line The pro for filing a continuation-in-part application is lower downstream costs. The cons are a shortened patent term and also your prior arguments and statements made in the parent application/patent can and will be used against you to … [Read More...]
4 Steps in the patent process
The process for getting a patent has four steps.Step 1: File an application for patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Step 2: Examination of patent application Step 3: Respond to any objections or rejections … [Read More...]