Top 10 Reasons To File A Provisional Patent Application

Scott ThorntonInventor Help, Patent Law, Patent Office

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 building new relationships with people interested in the patent process.  Trying to explain the entire patent process over the phone, or in an initial consultation, can be pretty difficult though. … Read More

Understanding An Inventor’s Duty of Disclosure, Candor and Good Faith

Scott ThorntonInventor Help, Patent Attorney, Patent Law, Patent Office

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

Scott ThorntonInventor Help, Patent Attorney, Patent Law

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

An Introduction to Patent Searching

Scott ThorntonInventor Help, Patent Law, Patent Office, Patent Search

     Whether you’re a seasoned inventor or are attempting to patent your first invention, performing a patent search is a logical first step.  It only makes sense to learn and understand what’s out there before embarking on the long, expensive and frustrating voyage of obtaining patents in the United States and abroad.  And with today’s internet, accessing relevant patent information … Read More

The Clock is Ticking in a First to File World

Scott ThorntonPatent Law, Patent Office

In March of 2013, the United States transitioned from being a “First to Invent” to a “First to File” system.  Prior to this change, patents were granted to the person who could demonstrate that he or she conceived of the invention first. Under the current “First-to-File” system, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issues patents to the first person … Read More

The U.S. Patent System Turns 225

Scott ThorntonPatent Law, Patent Office

Today marks the two hundred and twenty-fifth birthday of the U.S. Patent system.  The founders of the United States envisioned a system that would establish and enforce property rights in works of authorship and inventions for a limited time in contrast to the chartered monopolies of Europe.  Unique in nature, the United States patent system would be established through constitutional and statutory authority.  It … Read More

U.S. Patent Number 9,000,000

Scott ThorntonPatent Law, Patent Office

Today, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued the nine millionth United States utility patent to Matthew Carroll of Jupiter, Florida.  The invention is directed to a system and method of collecting  and conditioning rainwater and other moisture, such as dew, from the windshield of a vehicle and utilizing the collected fluid to replenish the fluids in the windshield washer … Read More

Congratulations to Michelle Lee

Scott ThorntonPatent Law, Patent Office

On Monday March 9th, The United States Senate confirmed Michelle Lee as the new director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  She is the first woman to hold this position, and has a resume any patent attorney would love to have.  Her background is in electrical engineering and computer science, holding both undergraduate and graduate degrees from M.I.T.. … Read More