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…
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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…
What are the 2017 TTAB rule changes?
Effective date New TTAB rules for trademark oppositions and cancellations take effect on Jan. 14, 2017. ESTTA Electronic Filing All submissions must be filed through the…
What is a geographically descriptive trademark?
What is a primarily geographically descriptive trademark? If you apply for a trademark that contains a geographic location, there is a risk that your application…
What are USPTO excess claims fees and multiple dependent fees?
What are excess claims? In a US nonprovisional utility patent application, the USPTO will charge additional government fees for claims that exceed certain limits. The…
What is a patentability search?
How can a novelty search can help you file a utility nonprovisional patent application? Before investing in an expensive utility patent application, a utility novelty…
Is software patentable?
Yes, software can be patented. However, the road to a granted patent may be long, frustrating and expensive. Let’s dive into the factors that can…
Why conduct a patent examiner interview?
What is a patent examiner interview? Patent examiners are human. This simple truth is often overlooked in the back-and-forth written communications with the USPTO. An…
How to Renew a Trademark Registration
How do you renew a trademark registration? Unlike patents which expire on a definite date, the term of a trademark registration may continue indefinitely as…
How does a patent extension of time work?
What is a patent extension of time? Responses to Office Actions may typically be extended. A typical patent Office Action provides the applicant with a…
Not trademarkable: What can’t be trademarked?
What is trademarkable? To be trademarkable means that a word or phrase is capable of trademark registration. That is to say, a mark must meet…
IDS Fees and Deadlines: When to file and how much?
USPTO IDS Fees Depend upon Timing Applicants have an obligation to tell the USPTO about known prior art that is relevant to their patent applications.…
Ready to Slay Goliath?
Not sure where to start? Email US patent attorney Vic Lin at vlin@icaplaw.com.