A Board Certified Patent Attorney
The Trademark Checklist: 7 Steps You Must Take Before Filing
Not a day goes by that I don’t get a call from a distressed business owner who – after using one of those ‘trademark filing’ services online – contacts me because their trademark got rejected. And it always brings to mind the origin story of the lucky horseshoe. Legend has it a blacksmith (who later became St. Dunstan) was approached by a man who asked that horseshoes... Read More
Patented 120 years ago: The electric tattoo machine
If you are an inventor with tattoos, you must read this… I just tripped upon this interesting little story about the patent behind the electric tattoo machine. Seems this tool was based on an engraving machine invented by Thomas Edison. It just goes to show how you can take an invention that is already out there…add a little twist of your own…and come up with an entirely new pate... Read More
The Story of the Sexy Screen Starlet Turned Patent Holder
The November 28th, 2011 edition of Newsweek magazine featured an interesting article on a rather unexpected inventor – the “most beautiful woman in the world” actress Hedy Lamarr. The story of how she became a patent holder is an interesting one… It start in 1931 with a Czech art film called Ecstasy. In it is a nude scene that caught the eye of ammunition manufacturer Frit... Read More
The Story of the Sexy Screen Starlet Turned Patent Holder
The November 28th, 2011 edition of Newsweek magazine featured an interesting article on a rather unexpected inventor – the “most beautiful woman in the world” actress Hedy Lamarr. The story of how she became a patent holder is an interesting one… It start in 1931 with a Czech art film called Ecstasy. In it is a nude scene that caught the eye of ammunition manufacturer Frit... Read More
Patent Question of the Month
It’s no secret lawyers aren’t cheap. But just how much is it to retain an attorney to draft your patent application? Let’s take a closer look… — Question from a Reader —- Matt asks, "I was wondering, what is it that you do to confirm that a certain idea is not already taken? Also What are some of the fee’s in hiring a Patent Attorney and how much?&quo... Read More
Pursuing Software Patents? Watch out for this…
In 2010 Google’s innovative Android mobile phone technology was the target of no fewer than 12 infringement suits from rivals Apple, Oracle, Microsoft and others. Part of the problem is the culture clash between old style devotees to intellectual property rights and adherents to the newer, more collaborative environment of open source. But the bottom line is always money: Billions of dollars... Read More
Are prototypes necessary before you get a patent?
A prototype for your idea is an important part of building the actual product. But for the patent process, it is not necessary. In fact, there are only three things the US Patent Office requires to review your idea. And those are: 1. The application 2. Drawings 3. The application fee That’s all you need to apply for a patent. And in fact, building a prototype in some cas... Read More
7 Reasons Why Trademarks Protect You
If you are in business, and are successful and profitable, your business name should be registered. Why? It prevents others from using it to do the same type of business, represent their businesses as yours, steal your customers and ruin your business reputation. Without it, you have a big liability, almost as if you are leaving the door to the shop open when you leave at the end of the day. Regis... Read More
Patent Riches through Licensing
Patents may grant you exclusive rights to prevent others from manufacturing, selling, and importing your idea…but that doesn’t necessarily mean the money will just fall into your lap. To actually profit from your patent you must do one of three things… 1. You must create and sell some aspect of the product 2. &n... Read More
3 Common Patent Application Mistakes
Patents give you 20 years of exclusive ownership of your idea. That means no one else can sell your idea…no one else can manufacture your idea…no one else can import your idea. In short, nobody can profit from your idea without obtaining your permission (which you can charge for, by the way!). And if they do, you can sue the pants off of them (sometimes getting as much as 3 times... Read More
Patent & Trademark Office Commissioner Robert Stoll Visits South Florida
I had the pleasure of meeting Patent Office Commissioner Robert Stolll this week in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Commissioner Stoll is the person in charge of the Patent & Trademark Office. The buck definitely stops with him. He came down for a Symposium on Intellectual Property at the Riverside Hotel on Las Olas Boulevard and gave a fascinating talk on proposed changes and... Read More
Patent Wars: The Fight Over Phone Patents
Recently Newsweek created a fascinating visual detailing the ongoing patent wars between rival smart phone giants. It seems that patent infringement cases are the norm for this cutting edge technology. For example, Motorola is being sued for patent infringement seven times, by five different companies. And has patent litigation against three companies (all of which are also suing Motorola). Plus, ... Read More
Patent Your Food – A Look at Edible Patents
I received a call a few days ago from a woman who had a secret family recipe for cake. Her bridge friends said that she should get a patent on it, but she didn’t believe it was patentable. While most patents are for mechanical designs or other inedible inventions…new food and food products definitely fall under the realm of patentability (that includes everything from creating new... Read More
Inventors Reap Rewards from “Cheap” Patents
Have you ever dreamed about inventing a product that raked in millions? Do you think you have to invent the next "big thing" to do so? Not necessarily so. There have been plenty of nickel-and-dime patented products that have gone on to make their owners millionaires. For example, a number of patents that have crossed my desk have helped their inventors live a life they only dreamed ... Read More
Patents vs. Non-Disclosure Agreements – What Gives You More Protection
If you think your idea is protected because you’ve signed non-disclosure agreement (also known as an NDA or confidentiality agreement), then you are sadly mistaken. While an NDA gives you a limited level of protection (which in many cases can easily be bypassed), a patent offers you rock-solid, legally binding, enforceable-by-stiff-penalties PROOF of idea ownership. But I’m getting ahe... Read More