As a patent attorney, one of the first questions that potential clients ask me is how much it costs to get a patent? The costs typically add up to thousands of dollars. Many inventors get discouraged upon hearing this. They can't afford it and quit. For me, I'm discouraged when I hear this. I've had clients that went from rags to riches because they got a patent. The … [Read more...]
Can you re-patent an expired patent?
When your patent nears the end of its term, you might begin to think about how you can extend the life of your patent. You might want to refile an application for a patent on the same invention. But, can it be done? A patent cannot be refiled to extend the life of the patent on the same invention. However, another patent can be secured on an improvement to the original … [Read more...]
Who Owns A Patent – The Inventor or The Company?
You can lose your patent rights when you work with others on an invention. Continue reading to understand how to keep your patent rights and not destroy the value of your idea. Who owns the patent? Patent rights belong to the inventor who conceived the invention unless that inventor assigns the patent rights to another, or the courts apply the equitable doctrines of … [Read more...]
Wondering why patents take so long? Here’s why!
When people come up with an invention, they typically also wonder how long it takes to get a patent. When they learn that it can take years on some occasions, they ask why. We discuss the reason below and provide various ways to speed up the process significantly. Why does it take so long to get a patent? A patent may take years to secure because the steps to secure the patent … [Read more...]
Can You Amend a Provisional Patent Application?
Often, when inventors want to get a product out to market, they want to do it sooner than later. To quickly protect their invention, they will choose to file a provisional patent application in the interim. However, after they launch their product, they may learn about new features they want to include in their provisional patent application or in the product's next release. … [Read more...]
Can You Sell A Provisional Patent Application?
Do you have an idea and want to make money by selling the idea to someone else by filing a provisional patent application? You’re not alone, many people wonder about this. Truth is, it’s unlikely but there are better ways of selling an “idea.” Can you sell a provisional patent application? The quick answer is yes, it is possible. But it rarely happens. Selling a provisional … [Read more...]
Can Multiple People Own a Patent?
Patents allow people and companies to claim ideas and inventions as their own. Nevertheless, it is quite confusing and tricky when multiple entities are involved. Disagreements can and do arise between the owners. You need to know how to address these potential pitfalls. Can multiple people own a patent? Yes, but we do not recommend joint patent ownership. The patent’s … [Read more...]
What is an Office Action?
After you file a patent application, you will wait between 6 months to 3 years to know if you can get a patent. At that time, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will review your patent application and may reject your patent application. An office action will explain the reasons for the rejection. What do you do now? So, what is an office action? An … [Read more...]