Patent Law

Patents and trademarks are both legal devices that can be used to protect intellectual property. They each set that intellectual property apart as something that belongs to a specific person, organization or company. But the way that these devices work is much...

Non-practicing entities (NPEs) can be a headache to others with patents or who are seeking to get a patent. In fact, it’s been estimated that nearly three-fourths of all patent litigation involves NPEs.  An NPE is a party (either a business, organization or...

Patents are a key form of intellectual property protection. The process of obtaining a patent is complex and often quite lengthy. Patent prosecution can take months, if not more than a year, to complete. Individuals and businesses typically require professional...

Once you’ve been granted a patent for a valuable invention, it’s a cause for some relief – but you can’t simply sit back and hope that your rights are observed. If you don’t enforce your exclusive rights against anybody who illegally infringes upon them, you could...

The patent venue statute plays a significant role in determining where patent infringement lawsuits can be brought. Because this legal provision has far-reaching implications for both patent holders who are trying to protect their intellectual property (IP) rights and...

Obtaining a patent is not a quick (or easy) process. In the United States, it takes an average of 22 months for a patent to be granted or denied, and that’s a very long time to wait to bring something to market. That’s why you frequently see new products being offered...

A “patent troll” is an unpleasant term used to describe a company that acquires and enforces patents, primarily for the purpose of extracting licensing fees or suing other companies for alleged infringement. In more polite terms, they’re often called “patent assertion...

Many creatives wonder if they can patent an idea, which has created debates. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) defines a patent as a grant of a property right to an inventor. Thus, it protects an innovation. But what about an idea? Here is what you...

As a patent owner, it's essential to understand the concept of patent term extension and adjustment. These mechanisms can potentially extend the life of your patent, allowing you to maximize the benefits of your intellectual property. Typically, a utility patent has a...

Getting a patent can take months or even years (2 years is somewhat typical). This is why you will often see products that advertise a “patent pending” status. A company has started selling a product, knowing that a patent application has been filed, but they want to...