Patent

What is patent?

A patent is the right to exclude all others from using the technology covered by the patent. It is an extremely powerful form of IP, because there are very limited defenses available to patent infringement. For any business depending on its technology to stay ahead of competition, a patent can grant you exclusive rights to use and benefit from the covered technology for a period of time, amounting to a decisive advantage. Whether you are a software company or a device manufacturer, it is beneficial to consider if any part of your products can obtain patent technology as a part of the long-term strategy of your business.

How to obtain patent protection

Because the protection offered by patents are so powerful, the process of obtaining a patent is extremely complex. An application must be carefully prepared and skillfully drafted before being filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The application will be reviewed by a patent examiner who will either allow or reject the claims in the application. In most cases, extensive negotiations with the examiners and revision of the claims will take place before the applicant receives an issued patent. Once issued, the patent protection will last about 20 years.

The cost to prepare a patent application starts at $9000 for simpler inventions.

Patent rights enforcement & defense

When someone uses technology covered by a valid patent, the person is committing an act of infringement. The patent owner can sue the infringer in federal courts to stop the infringement and recover damages, which can reach millions of dollars. Because the costs and risks associated with litigation is high, many claims of infringement are resolved through settlements or the purchase of a license by the infringer. Whether you think someone is infringing on your patent or you have been accused as an infringer, we can help you determine whether the product in question is covered by the patent and counsel you toward a resolution.