A priority date is the earliest date on which an inventor can establish a date of invention. The inventor with the earlier priority date is awarded the patent. Typically, the priority date of a patent application is its filing date. If the patent application claims priority over other earlier filed patent applications, the priority date is the earliest filed provisional, … [Read more...]
Patent application process
The patent application process includes three main time frames: 1) before filing patent application, 2) after filing a patent application and 3) after patent grant. Browse related articles below.
What is a utility patent?
A utility patent is a type of patent that protects new and useful products and processes and their improvements. The patent owner can stop others from making, using, selling, and importing the patented invention into the United States. A utility patent will expire 20 years from the filing date of the nonprovisional patent application. To secure a utility patent, the inventor … [Read more...]
What are the differences between utility patents and design patents?
The two main types of patents available in the United States are utility patents and design patents. They offer different protections, so it's important to understand their differences before you decide which one to apply for.A utility patent protects the specific function of an invention (e.g., a method or machine). It does not protect any ornamental features of that … [Read more...]
Pros and cons of getting a patent
A patent is a right to exclude others granted by the government to inventors for their invention. I’ll explain the pros and cons of getting a patent. By the end of this article, you’ll know the #1 reason you ought to consider getting a patent for your product.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3cHRDEU8Ok Primary pro of getting a patent With a patent, you can force the … [Read more...]
Patent Pending: What the inventor and competition need to know about each other
Inventors think since their product is patent pending, they can threaten the competition with a lawsuit. "I'm suing you. Stop copying my product." is what they say. The competition believes nothing's at risk. So, who cares?Who's right? Both are partially right and partially wrong. Let's dive … [Read more...]
What is an Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) and how to file one?
An Information Disclosure Statement (also known as an IDS) is a document (IDS form PTO/SB/08a) submitted to USPTO identifying the prior art (e.g., patents, publications, non-patent literature) you're aware of. The purpose of the IDS is to satisfy your duty of candor and good faith in dealing with the USPTO. Failure to submit the IDS may breach this duty and invalidate … [Read more...]
Patent Pending: Everything you wanted to know
Updated: December 28, 2021 Inventors and competitors often misunderstand the significance of patent pending. Inventors will mark their products with “Patent Pending” thinking that no one else can copy their invention. Their understanding would be incorrect. Competitors might see patent pending marked on a product and think that this means the product is already patented. … [Read more...]
Can you patent an existing product?
You've just seen a product and think that it is incredible. You want to start selling it, but first, you want to know if you can get a patent on that existing product. You cannot get a patent for an existing product for two reasons. First, you are not the inventor. Second, the existing product is not new (i.e., novel). But, nonobvious improvements to the product can be … [Read more...]