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
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
Returning To The Virtual Office
Most of us were happy to get back in the office after the COVID pandemic. But for me, that sense of normalcy didn’t last long. The scorching summer commute, the hassle of maintaining an outdated office, and the fear of break-ins made it an easy choice to return to a virtual office. As a Las Vegas business owner, I believe … 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?
Goodbye 2020
Las Vegas couldn’t wait to say goodbye to 2020. Last year will be remembered as a year shut down by the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be seen as a year rattled by social unrest. It was a year scarred by apocalyptic wildfires. It was also a year obscured by one of the most contentious Presidential elections in United States history. … Read More
Crisis Response
We at The Thornton Firm are as concerned as the next citizen when it comes to dealing with the ongoing health crisis affecting our nation. We are doing our best to stay informed as events develop. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidelines for “community mitigation strategies” to limit the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused … Read More
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