What Should Be Discussed During a TTAB Discovery Conference?
What subjects should be covered during a TTAB Discovery Conference? In a TTAB trademark opposition or cancellation proceeding, attorneys for both sides must conduct a mandatory…
The Largest Free Patent and Trademark Q&A Resource: 550+ Posts on IP
What is a new use patent or intended use claim language?
Can you patent a new use of an old product? Yes, it is possible to patent a new use of an old product. That’s the…
What is a trademark filing basis?
Use vs. Intent-To-Use A trademark application filed with the USPTO must designate at least one filing basis. For most American applicants, the choice boils down…
Madrid Protocol trademark application vs. Conventional Priority: Which is less expensive?
How much does a Madrid Protocol trademark application cost? The Madrid Protocol can be a cost-effective way for trademark owners to obtain international registration through a centralized system,…
Can US trademark registrations under the Madrid Protocol be canceled for non-use?
Can a US trademark registration based on the Madrid Protocol be canceled? Not every trademark registered with the USPTO had to have been used in US…
How To Get Foreign Design Patent Protection
How do you obtain foreign design patent protection? If you are considering foreign design patents, first check to make sure your invention is eligible for…
What is an incontestable trademark registration?
What is an incontestable trademark registration? A federal trademark registration on the Principal Register may become incontestable after five years. An incontestable registration provides its…
Can a patent application be confidential (nonpublication request)?
Are utility patent applications kept confidential? By default, utility nonprovisional patent applications are published around 18 months from the priority date. This publication occurs whether…
What prior art documents should be included in an Information Disclosure Statement (IDS)?
Why is an IDS required? The USPTO places an obligation on each patent applicant to disclose any known prior art references that are relevant to…
What are minimum USPTO fees that must be paid at the initial filing of US national stage patent application?
Bare Minimum Fee for Entering US National Stage The bare minimum official fee due upon filing a U.S. national phase patent application is the basic national fee. As of the…
How long is the trademark grace period for a registration renewal?
Is there a trademark renewal grace period? If you miss a trademark registration maintenance deadline, there is good news. You have a 6-month trademark registration…
US Customs Trademark Recordation: How to Block Import of Infringing Products
How to Make US Customs Your Ally Did you know that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) can serve as your trademark police? An owner…
What are the consequences of a patent owner’s delay or inactivity against an infringer?
Before initially contacting a business believed to have infringed a patent, the patent owner should have a strategy for following through if the accused infringer does not respond favorably.…
Patent Search: What are differences between Novelty, Validity and Freedom-To-Operate Searches?
What are the different types of patent searches? A patent search can mean different things. So when you’re talking to a patent attorney about a…
What is PDX (Electronic Priority Document Exchange)?
When a U.S. national stage patent application or direct filing claims priority to a foreign application, a certified copy of the foreign priority document is required.…
