Amazon infringement notice: How to respond
Does the Amazon infringement notice identify a patent, trademark or copyright? At the outset, you should carefully study the Amazon infringement notice to determine which…
The Largest Free Patent and Trademark Q&A Resource: 550+ Posts on IP
What should a Startup IP Checklist include?
What is the point of a startup IP checklist? Checklists are wonderful. A helpful startup IP checklist keeps founders focused on the more important tasks…
What is a trademark registration basis?
What is a trademark registration basis? A trademark registration basis provides the reason for why your mark should be registered. There are only two bases…
What is a trademark consent agreement?
What is a trademark consent agreement? A trademark consent agreement is a written agreement between two trademark owners stating that their respective marks are not…
Design Patent Process and Cost: How to Protect the Appearance of Your Products
What is the design patent application process? The design patent process is much simpler than that of a utility patent. Costs for obtaining a design…
What to do when your patent application is allowed
When is a patent application allowed? When your patent application has been allowed, the USPTO will send a Notice of Allowance setting forth a 3-month…
Amended claims: What can go wrong in a patent amendment?
When are marked-up amended claims not required? Patent claims must be amended in a very particular manner. The USPTO has strict marking rules on how…
How to trademark a new company name: Should founders search trademarks before incorporating?
How to trademark a new company name: First incorporate or search trademarks? This question might catch you off guard if your plans for incorporation didn’t…
Startup patent guide: Where to start
What is a smart patent strategy for startups? For startups, knowing where to start with patents is the hard part. Once you have an IP…
How Startups Should File Trademark Applications
When your startup company name is also the trademark for your product Before incorporating, it is best to search the USPTO trademark database for your…
When is a trademark primarily merely a surname?
What is a surname trademark? If you are attempting to register a mark that constitutes or includes a surname, there is a significant risk that…
How to Defend a Trademark Cancellation
What is a trademark cancellation? A trademark cancellation is a mini-lawsuit filed with the TTAB to attack a trademark registration. Cancellations deal with only registered…
What is an Advisory Action (AA)?
What is an Advisory Action? In response to a Final Office Action, an applicant has the option file an after-final response without a Request for…
What is a utility nonprovisional patent application?
Utility Nonprovisional Patent Application: Is this the right patent filing for your concept? A nonprovisional patent application is what you file to get a utility…
Provisional Patent Application: How to Use a PPA Effectively
What is a provisional patent application? So you’re thinking about getting a utility patent, but you’re not sure whether you want to invest in such…
