Various types of intellectual property can be used to protect your idea - utility patents, design patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Each type of intellectual property protects your idea differently. Typically, you will use only one type of intellectual property to protect your idea. However, some ideas require you to pursue multiple types of intellectual … [Read more...]
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Patent related articles.
What is a service mark?
A service mark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of services of one party from those of another. In contrast, a trademark refers to a mark that identifies the goods and services of one party from those of another. The distinction between a service mark and a trademark is one of convenience and has no legal significance. The … [Read more...]
What is a terminal disclaimer?
A terminal disclaimer is a statement in which the patent applicant dedicates the ending part of the patent to the public so that all similar patents end on the same date. Put simply, the term of all patents which are similar to each other owned by the patent owner is coterminous. By doing so, it prevents the patent owner from obtaining patent protection for the invention … [Read more...]
What does Design Around mean?
Design around refers to the efforts by a competitor to implement changes in their product to avoid infringement of another's patent. In particular, a patent attorney will review the claims of the patent at issue. How do you come up with a design-around option? To come up with a design-around option, a patent attorney should find other related patents, and read the patent in … [Read more...]
What is prior art?
The prior art is all information dated prior to the filing date of the patent application. That’s the simplistic definition. Prior art could include documents dated after the filing date but was commonly known as of the filing date. Many other nuances exist. But, for the purposes of this article, let’s keep it simple. https://youtu.be/HBCpptoqVi8 Duty to disclose prior … [Read more...]
What is a trademark?
You've likely seen it before. A word or logo with a TM symbol or circle R. Well, that's a trademark, a type of intellectual property. And you're about to learn about how you can use them to achieve your business goals. So read on!A trademark is a word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods or services of one party from those of … [Read more...]
How much does a nonprovisional patent application cost?
A nonprovisional patent application costs between $455 to $15,000. At the lower cost point, you have to prepare and file the nonprovisional patent application yourself without help from a patent attorney. But, the quality of your nonprovisional patent application may be low. For a higher-quality application, you can hire an experienced patent attorney. The cost for a … [Read more...]
How to write a great application that has value?
What are some easy writing tips for inventors to prepare their provisional patent applications? Writing Tip #1: Use the word "may," not "is" When you say that your idea is X repeatedly in the patent application, the court will hold you to your word to help infringers avoid infringement. In most instances, you can simply replace the word "may" with "is." That simple change … [Read more...]