First trademark filer or user: Who gets trademark rights?
Do US trademark rights go to the first trademark filer or user? Many foreign countries use a first-to-file system for trademark registration. Whoever registers a…
The Largest Free Patent and Trademark Q&A Resource: 550+ Posts on IP
How long is the utility patent wait time for a first review?
What is the average wait time for an examiner to begin review your utility patent application? Experienced utility patent filers know something that might be…
Can you suspend or extend trademark opposition deadlines?
What is the difference between a suspension and an extension of trademark opposition deadlines? Each trademark opposition will have deadlines set by the TTAB. When…
What are your options after an unfavorable patent appeal decision?
Unfavorable Patent Appeal Decision An ex parte patent appeal decision by the PTAB that affirms an examiner’s rejections can seem like the end of the…
What is new matter?
What is the meaning of new matter in patent applications? New matter in a patent application typically refers to something recited in the claims that…
Are multiple dependent claims allowed by the USPTO?
What is a multiple dependent claim? A multiple dependent claim is a dependent claim that refers to more than one claim. The USPTO will not…
Can you change a patent application after filing?
Can you change a patent application after it has been filed? Do ideas simply stop churning in your head after a patent application has been…
Claims vs. Description of Invention: What is the difference?
Patent Claims vs. Description of the Invention: What is the key difference? A utility patent is not a simple thing to understand. In a typical…
What is a preferred embodiment?
What are preferred embodiments? In any other context besides patents, “preferred embodiment” would sound quite strange. Yet, the term is used so commonly and frequently…
What patent filing questions to ask if you are not sure
What questions should you ask when you’re unsure about filing a patent application? Making a decision about filing a patent can be a daunting task.…
What To Do When Your Trademark Registration Is Not Renewed
What happens when a trademark registration is not renewed? Trademark registrations have strict time periods for renewal. In trademark vocabulary, “renewing” a registered trademark is…
Trademark Use vs. Registration: What is the difference?
Do you need a registration in order to use a trademark? No, there is no legal requirement to register or even apply for a mark…
Why or why not file a patent application?
Why not file a patent application? Deciding whether or not to file a patent application is not easy. Endless questions may be circling in the…
What PCT strategy would help a US national stage application?
Is there a PCT strategy that will benefit your US national stage? The PCT application is more than something to push back deadlines. While the…
What are claim amendments?
What are patent claim amendments? Claim amendments are a natural part of the utility patent process. A typical utility nonprovisional patent application will receive at…
