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5 Steps to Getting a Design Patent
A design patent protects the ornamental appearance and overall design of a product. As per 35 U.S.C. § 171, design patents protect, “any new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.” Having a design patent gives its an owner the ability to use,...
The Importance of Getting Your Design Patented
A patent is one of the best ways to protect against intellectual property theft. While most people are familiar with the concept of a patent, many are not aware that U.S. law has 3 different types of patents: utility patents, design patents, and plant patents. The two...
Common Questions About Patent Maintenance Fees
Patent maintenance fees are compulsory fees that you must pay to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) at certain junctures after a utility patent has been issued to keep it active. Maintenance fees are not required for design patents, however, so...
How Much Does a Design Patent Cost?
Getting a design patent is an exciting step in any creator’s journey towards product innovation. One of the common questions people ask is about the cost of a design patent. How much a design patent costs depends on what it covers, or in other words, its complexity....
What Is a Design Patent Search?
Conducting a design patent search entails sifting through existing patents to ensure that your design has not already been patented. Design patents are available for designs that are original, ornamental, and new. These patents last for 15 years from the date that...
When Do NFTs Violate Copyright Law?
2022 is the year for minting, buying, and selling NFTs. Understanding your intellectual property rights has never been more essential. Unfortunately, while many want to invest in NFTs, few understand the potential NFT copyright issues on the horizon. Tim spoke on this...
How the New Trademark Modernization Act May Affect You
Congress passed the Trademark Modernization Act (TMA) in 2020, and any business owner seeking, holding, or challenging trademarks should be aware of the changes the Act made to trademark law. The TMA decreases the “deadwood” of abandoned trademarks and helps ensure...
How to Challenge a Patent Before the PTAB
What Is an Inter Partes Review (IPR)? If you are a patent holder, you may already know and dread the term inter partes review. An inter partes review or IPR is an administrative trial held before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) to determine whether a patent...
Understanding Software Patent Law
Developing your own software requires skill, creativity, and expertise. Once you have created a type of software you are proud of, the very next thing to do is to protect it! Software engineers and inventors need software patent law to make sure that no one steals...