When does a trademark registration expire?
Do trademark registrations expire? Trademarks differ from patents in at least one critical way. Patents must expire. Trademark registrations can last indefinitely if they are…
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US National Stage Entry Based on PCT Application: What to Know
US National Stage Application: The Basics For most international patent applicants, the US is one of the top national phase PCT countries to be considered.…
CIP vs. New Stand-Alone Patent Application: What are tradeoffs?
CIP or new patent application? When it comes to new subject matter that is related to a pending utility patent application, should you file a…
How long does it take to register a trademark?
How long does a trademark registration take? Many variables can prolong the US trademark application process. Generally, the fastest path to a registration would be…
How long is the US patent application process (how much time does it take to get a utility patent)?
How long is the utility patent application process? The USPTO is notorious for its backlog of examining utility nonprovisional patent applications. First-time utility patent applicants…
What is the first to file patent rule?
What is the first-to-file patent system? US patent laws no longer recognize who was first to invent, but rather who applied first for a patent.…
What is a priority date?
What is a patent priority date? Priority date refers to the earliest filing date in a family of patent applications. Where only a single patent…
What Foreign Applicants Must Know About US Design Patents
Reasons for Procuring US Design Patents Chinese design patent owners will already know the benefits of design patent protection in the US. Unlike US utility patents,…
What are negative claim limitations?
What are negative claim limitations? A negative claim limitation is language recited in a patent claim that speaks to the absence of a feature, as…
How to Transfer Patent Ownership
How to Transfer Patent Ownership Patent ownership starts with the inventors. It is fairly straightforward, however, to transfer ownership to a company. Every patent application…
How much does a US design patent application cost?
What is the initial filing cost of a US design patent application? Excluding USPTO fees, our initial filing cost of a US design patent application…
Freedom To Operate (FTO) or Infringement Search: How to Sell Your Products Safely
What is a freedom to operate or patent infringement search? A freedom to operate search or review is basically an analysis to see if you…
How To Patent in Europe (EPO)
What is the European Patent Office? Getting a utility patent in Europe a bit different than patenting in other foreign countries. A single utility patent…
What is prior art?
Drawing the line between old and new The term “prior art” is frequently used in the patent world to refer to what already exists. It’s the…
What are Section 112 indefinite rejections?
What is a Section 112 indefinite rejection? Patent claims must follow certain rigid rules in terms of format and language. For this reason, claims will often…
