As a Los Angeles Patent Attorney, I am confident that I can help guide you in protecting your idea whether through patent, trademark, copyright or trade secrets. Your idea may be protected in many different ways. It is my job to explain the various means by which your idea can be protected and to provide the best possible route based on your particular circumstance.
Patent Rights
Patents provide inventors with the right to exclude others from making, using, selling, offering for sale and importing the patented invention into the United States. Simply put, you can demand that others stop offering products that infringe on your patent.
Types of Patents
Most inventions are may be protected by way of a utility patent or design patent. Utility patents protect the functional aspects or features of a product or service. Is the product easier, faster, lighter or stronger? Design patents protect the ornamental features of the product. Design patents do not provide protection for functional features. What aesthetic features of the product are unique? As you might suspect, design patents share a cross over with copyrights. As a Los Angeles Patent Attorney, I am here to assist you in parsing the nuances between the various forms of intellectual property law and choosing the most appropriate route for your circumstance.
Patent Term
The period of enforceability of a patent runs from the date of issuance of the patent and terminates 20 years after filing of the patent application. The formula also takes into account delays by the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the inventor’s delays referred to as patent term adjustments as well as other factors. As a Los Angeles Patent Attorney, I am here to help.
Patent Process
The patent process begins with a patent search. The patent search is an optional step but oftentimes important. It is used to determine the likelihood of whether the United States Patent and Trademark Office would grant you a patent on your idea. The patent application is prepared based on the invention disclosure received during the initial consultation. Inventors review and provide feedback on the written description of the invention and the associated drawings which are prepared by me. Upon approval, the patent application describing your invention is submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The formal requirements of the patent application are reviewed by the Patent Office. After about nine months (for design patent applications) to 3 years (for utility patent applications), the Patent Office will render an official stance as to patentability. If successful, the application will mature into a patent. Maintenance fees are due at regular intervals for utility patents. During this multi-year process, as your patent attorney, I am here to assist you and to provide guidance as you develop the market for your product and/or seek licensees.
As a Los Angeles Patent Lawyer, we can schedule an appointment where we will discuss the patentability of your idea, develop a cost efficient plan of action to protect your idea and implement the plan based on your particular circumstances.
Please feel free to contact me with your questions at (949) 433-0900 or at [email protected]