What Is Patentable Subject Matter?

Scott ThorntonInventor Help, Las Vegas, Patent Law, Patent Office

If you’re an inventor or entrepreneur in Las Vegas or anywhere, one of the first questions you may ask is: “Can I even patent my idea?” The answer starts with Section 101 of the Patent Act, which defines the categories of inventions eligible for patent protection in the United States. While other sections of the Patent Act deal with novelty … Read More

Understanding Obviousness In Patent Law

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

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?

Scott ThorntonInventor Help, Patent Law, Patent Office

Gears often represent utility patents for describing how an invention works.

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

Patent Drawings: Yesterday and Today

Scott ThorntonGallery, Inventor Help, Patent Law

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

Top 10 Reasons To File A Provisional Patent Application

Scott ThorntonInventor Help, Patent Law, Patent Office

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

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 has … Read More