When it comes to patent applications, inventors often focus on novelty. Yes, an invention must be new in order to be granted patent rights. But novelty alone isn’t enough. United States patent law imposes another critical requirement—nonobviousness. Even if an invention has never been seen before, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) can still reject it if the invention … Read More
What Is A Patent Attorney?
If you’ve ever had an idea for an invention, you’ve probably heard the term “patent attorney.” But what exactly is a patent attorney? How do they qualify for this specialized role? And what services does a patent lawyer provide to inventors and businesses? As a Las Vegas patent attorney, I hope to give clear answers to those questions. What Is … Read More
Trademark Law: Strong vs. Weak Trademarks
Choosing the right brand name is one of the most important steps in building a business. Not every name is equally protectable under federal trademark law. How strong or how weak your trademark is determines how easily you can register it with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and how broadly you can enforce it against competitors. In … Read More
Patent Drawings: Yesterday and Today
When most people think of patent drawings, they picture hand-drawn illustrations from the late 1800s through the early 1900s. Famous drawings include Thomas Edison’s light bulb patent or Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone patent. And while those historic graphics evoke a certain nostalgic feel, the requirements for patent drawings today are very different. For inventors filing with the United States Patent … Read More
Get “Patent Pending” Fast With A Provisional Patent Application
If you’re an inventor, entrepreneur, or small business owner, you might find yourself asking how do I protect my idea?
Top 10 Reasons To File A Provisional Patent Application
Filing a provisional patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) can be a smart first step. As a Las Vegas patent attorney, I regularly help inventors across Southern Nevada and beyond use provisional applications to secure intellectual property rights and confidently move forward with their ideas. Here are 10 reasons why a filing provisional patent application … Read More
Patent Searching Using the Lens
As I have written on earlier occasions, performing a patent search is a great way for inventors to get a feel for what’s out in the world of prior art before navigating the unknown and often perilous waters of the United States patent system. I encourage inventors to perform their own preliminary patent searches, as it is a great way … Read More
Understanding An Inventor’s Duty of Disclosure, Candor and Good Faith
As a patent attorney, I enjoy advising my clients on issues related to their patent applications and issued patents. Most issues I address pertain to the technical and proprietary aspects of their inventions and how to effectively prepare, file and prosecute their patent applications. For an inventor, obtaining a patent is an exciting time. But in the excitement of obtaining … Read More
Ten Things An Inventor Should Do Before Contacting A Patent Attorney
As a patent attorney, I enjoy talking to inventors. I love helping inventors and entrepreneurs secure intellectual property rights in their respective works. A good part of my business involves the cultivation of working relationships with prospective clients. My hope is that they will retain my services in the future. But there are days where I am simply too busy … Read More
Patent Searching Using Google Patents
Determining whether an invention has already been patented or disclosed to the public is one of many important steps an inventor should take on the long road to bringing a new product to market. It makes good sense to have, at the very least, a general understanding of what’s out there before diving into the turbid waters of patenting … Read More