Archive for the ‘Invention & Patent Basics’ Category
Mark Twain, Born in Florida, Mo, and Better Known as an Author and Humorist Was Also an Inventor and Patent Holder
When most people think of Samuel Clemens, or Mark Twain as he has penned himself in his writings, they think of the famous author and fondly recall reading his well known works Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer. Few realize that Mark Twain, born in Florida, Mo., was also an aspiring inventor and the holder of […]
USPTO Requesting More Timely and Useful Information From Patent Applicants
The United States Patent & Trademark Office posted the following article on their website which may be of interested to those seeking patent protection: As part of its ongoing efforts to promote investment in innovation and spur economic growth, the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) today announced a new proposal […]
WORKING MODELS, PROTOTYPES, AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR PATENTS
A working model or prototype is not necessary before the filing of a patent application with the United States Patent & Trademark Office. Often, however, those seeking to apply for a patent wil produce hand-drawn sketches or drawings of the invetion, in order to help the drafter of the application write a more detailed, descriptive, […]
SHIFT IN PATENT LAWS INCREASES LITIGATION
According to an article written by Christopher Hayes and quoted in the Progress Report, a shift in patent laws over the past ten years has resulted in increased “methods and system” patents, which have opened the flood gates on the amounts of patent claims, and given greater control to big business over innovative ideas. […]
Florida Company Gives New Meaning to Cold Cash
According to an article in Anderson Independent-Mail, Ice House America, a Florida-based company, has patented an ice machine that dispenses both 16-pound bags and 20-pound loads of loose ice, at a cheaper cost than those of grocery or convenience stores. These ice-houses are capable of producing more than 500 16-pound bags of ice per day. […]
Boca Raton Company Victorious in First Patent Infringement Case
Lexington International, LLC, a Florida company based in Boca Raton, prevailed in its patent infringement lawsuit against Phototonic Research and LBI Investments, Inc. According to the article in PR Web, Lexington International, LLC, which manufactures and distributes the HairMax LaserComb internationally, initiated the litigation to send a message to manufacturers of substandard products on the […]
Nine Costly Misconceptions About Patents
If life were like the popular board game Monopoly ��, obtaining meaningful patent protection would be as simple as buying up Boardwalk and Park Place. In the board game, you simply purchase the property you want, place houses or hotels on them over time, and eagerly collect a continual revenue stream from the successful venture. […]
Understanding the Limitations of a Design Patent
Inventors can obtain three different types of patents in the United States, namely, plant patents, utility patents, and design patents. Plant patents are rare and are used to protect a new plant that the inventor has produced asexually (without using seeds). A utility patent can be used to protect the way a new technology functions […]
Confidentiality / Non-disclosure Agreements
A Non-Disclosure Agreement (sometimes called a confidentiality agreement) is used by an inventor to reveal an unpatented idea to a party. The inventor has the other party sign a document that says they will not disclose any of the information to anyone else, and will not compete with the inventor. I strongly discourage revealing your […]
Risks of Disclosing Your Invention Prior to a Patent Filing
The possibility of having your new idea stolen before you have applied for a patent is something that has haunted every new inventor. It is important to keep the details of your new idea secret until you have at least applied for a patent. In addition to the possibility of your idea being stolen, there […]
Utility vs. Design Patent Protection
Let us start by looking at the at the different types of patents that are available – These are utility patents, design patents, and plant patents. Plant patents are very rare. As the name suggests, a plant patent is used to protect newly developed plants. My practice focuses on utility and design patents and these […]
Top 10 Reasons to Choose Me as Your Patent Attorney
Reason No. 1: Because I Teach Patent Law to Other Lawyers and Law Students For the past nine (9) years, I have been an Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University Law School teaching patent, trademark, and copyright law to graduating law students. In addition to being an Adjunct Professor at Nova Law School, I lecture […]
Florida Patent Depository Library
Patent depository libraries are an excellent resource for patent research. The United States Patent & Trademark Office has established around 80 depository libraries throughout the United States with at least one in each state. Many states have several. For example, Florida has two patent depository libraries in South Florida, one in Miami and a second […]
The Patent Search
It is important before filing your patent application to know if anything like it has been patented before. A patent search is a search of all the patented items in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office archives. Many inventors have looked for their invention on store shelves, specialty stores, and industry publications. However, not finding […]
Do I Need a Working Model or Prototype of My Idea Prior to Filing for Patent Protection
A working model or prototype is not necessary before the filing of a patent application at the U.S. Patent and Trademark office. Often, however, clients will provide me with hand-drawn sketches or drawings of their invention. Where the invention is a process or method, a flow chart showing the steps can be prepared. Such materials […]
