Principal Register vs. Supplemental Register By default, most trademark applications seek registration on the Principal Register. When an examining attorney determines that a mark is…

Does your mark in use match your applied-for or registered mark? Trademark use and registration are two different issues. In an ideal world, your trademark…

Can a provisional patent application be filed in a non-English language? Provisional patent applications with non-English specifications can be filed with the USPTO. In order…

Are provisional patent applications published? No, a provisional patent application is not published by the USPTO. However, they made be made publicly accessible under certain…

Use or file trademark first? You do not have to apply for a trademark prior to using it. In most cases, trademark rights in the…

What First Action Interview is not Let’s first clarify what the First Action Interview (FAI) program does not do. The FAI program does not apply…

Flat fee patent applications Flat fee patent attorneys provide greater transparency and certainty for clients seeking to budget patent applications. Our firm can provide fixed…

What is a trademark Notice of Opposition filed with the TTAB? After a trademark application has been preliminarily approved by the USPTO examining attorney, the…

Flat fee attorneys for trademark oppositions or cancellations? My firm, Innovation Capital Law Group, offers flat rate attorney’s fees for IP matters, including a fee schedule…

Need an NDA to talk to patent attorney? It’s a common question I get from startups, inventors, entrepreneurs and basically anyone starting up a new…

What is PPH? PPH stands for Patent Prosecution Highway, a cooperative program between the USPTO and participating foreign patent offices to expedite the allowance of…

What is an IP checklist? An IP checklist helps a startup company to make sure that fundamental IP rights are adequately protected. At a minimum,…

Is there a way to challenge or oppose a patent application? Yes, any third party may file a preissuance submission to oppose a utility nonprovisional…

What rights do you have while patent pending? Can a patent filer can stop copycats and would-be infringers while their patent application is pending? The…

What are patent foreign filing deadlines? A foreign filing deadline refers to a specific date by which an applicant must file a foreign patent application…