Patent Priority Filing a patent is required to not only obtain priority over later inventors but also to prevent patent rights from being lost as a result of the Patent On Sale Bar Doctrine. Patent rights are based on priority. Generally, patent rights go to the first inventor. However, as a result of the American Read more about File Patent Applications Quickly to avoid On Sale Bar[…]
The invention of the modern Christmas has been relatively recent. Some claim that the modern Christmas was invented when Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in 1843. Prior to 1843, Christmas varied between a pagan rooted solstice ritual and a Mardi-Gras type event where party goers travelled house-to-house demanding wine and food. In the middle Read more about The Surprising Inventions of Christmas[…]
Learning about a Patent One of the most common questions we get is, “What does a patent actually do?” To understand what a patent does, it helps to first understand what a patent doesn’t do. A patent doesn’t give a patent owner the right to make, use or practice their invention. A patent give the Read more about What Does a Patent Actually do?[…]
Inventions by Computers Computers are now capable of helping with many of our daily and routine tasks. Computers are also being used to solve some of our most difficult and complex problems. In some cases this is done without human interaction as part of an artificial intelligence system. Recently, the USPTO said these computers are Read more about Patent Applications Limited to Human Inventors, not SkyNet[…]
Patent maintenance fees are mandatory fees that must be paid to the Patent Office to keep a utility patent alive. If you have questions about your patent, please contact the IPCenter.
Cost of a Patent One of the first questions from inventors is how much does a patent cost. The answer, unfortunately varies. You can file your own patent for as little as a few hundred dollars. However, because of the complexity and potential value most people prefer to have a patent attorney file a patent Read more about How Much does a Patent Cost[…]
Enforcement of Design Patents is expensive. A new law, if passed, will allow inventors to stop infringing products easier and cheaper.
One of the first questions many inventors ask is: What Does a Patent Do, and Why Should I get a patent? What Does a Patent Do? A patent is a grant from the government which provides the receiver of a patent the exclusive right to their invention for a fixed period of time. In exchange, Read more about What Does a Patent Do ?[…]
A strong intellectual property strategy can provide long-term success. However, there are many misunderstandings about the patent process which can contribute to a weak intellectual property strategy.
Intellectual Property Law Update Patent Congress released a draft of proposed patent legislation to address the ongoing problem with Subject Matter Rejections, namely, 101 Rejections. The proposed new patent law proposes that patents should be awarded to: Whoever invents or discovers any useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any useful improvement thereof, may Read more about Intellectual Property Updates[…]