Patent Drafting
Crafting a patent application is a practice best left to the experts.
Prior to filing a patent application, existing art should be critically analyzed and compared to the potential invention. This analysis increases the chance of passing the review process conducted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) as well as the chance that the final patent will be legally enforceable in view of legal, practical and real world constraints.
For 20 years or more all of our patent attorneys have been registered with the USPTO. This registration requires a technical degree, a law degree, and the passing of a State Bar and the USPTO’s Patent Bar.
All of our patent attorneys have significant engineering experience that has allowed them to evaluate inventions, existing art, and applicable laws to successfully write and file hundreds of technically understandable and legally enforceable patent applications in the U.S.
Our patent attorneys stand ready to write a patent application for your invention, whether it is a mechanical device, an electrical device, computer hardware or computer software utilizing complex mathematical models, or a combination of any or all of these things.
Patent Prosecution
Navigating the rough waters at the USPTO requires an understanding of the complex intersection of patent law and technical innovation.
Because of their years of experience, all of our patent attorneys have the skills needed to negotiate with Patent Examiners to obtain the broadest possible coverage for your inventions.
Whether you are looking for outside counsel for your corporation to expand an existing portfolio in a highly competitive market, or a small business striving to build a unique and marketable product, our attorneys can get you there.
Our patent attorneys have the education and technical experience to understand the technology in a variety of fields, and have a deep understanding of the relevant law. We have successfully obtained over 970 patents for our clients.
Patentability Searches and Opinions
Preparation is often half the battle.
Prior to drafting and filing a patent application, it often makes sense to conduct a search for existing art related to a potential invention.
Obtaining a search of prior art can serve two important goals. One, a search can allow us to anticipate the challenges ahead in patenting your invention and thus act as a cost saving feature if marketable features are already covered by an existing patent. Second, even if no on-point prior art is discovered, a search can still help us to focus the application on the novel and non-obvious aspects of your invention.
By identifying and understanding relevant art prior to drafting your application, arguments against your invention’s patentability can be won before they begin.
International Patent Prosecution
We offer clients the personal one on one experience of a small law firm with the broach reach of a large firm.
Absent special international agreements, patent protection extends only to the countries in which they are filed. Obtaining patent protection outside the United States therefore is not something you can do without partners operating in foreign jurisdictions.
We are experienced in pursuing international patent protection and we have established long-term relationships with patent attorneys and law firms all over the world.
If you are considering international protection for your patents, our network of partners is available to extend the protection of your inventions across the globe.
Provisional Patent Applications
The early filing of a patent can create a significant competative advantage.
Under certain circumstances it can be advantageous to file a provisional patent application when you are not ready to file a full-fledged patent application.
Our attorneys have extensive experience in preparing and filing provisional patent applications for these situations, whether this entails a simple “coversheet” provisional using an academic or technical paper or a more extensive provisional application.
We also have extensive experience in preparing and filing follow-on patent applications based on a previously-filed provisional application.
Patent Claim Charting
Vigilance is an important element of patent protection.
In the event that a product comes on the market during the pendency of your patent application that embodies your invention, we can prepare a patent claim chart that compares the claims in your patent application to the competing product.
We can then amend the claims if necessary to "read" on the product and ensure any claim changes made during the prosecution of the application continue to "read" on the product for possible infringement actions.
Patent Appeals
To expect the unexpected shows a thoroughly modern intellect. – Oscar Wilde
In the event that a patent Examiner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office unfairly refuses to allow your patent application, we are quite adept at pursuing successful appeals of rejections with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board.
Trademark Applications
We will prepare and file applications for registering your trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and zealously argue for the successful registration of your mark.
Trademark Appeals
In the event that a trademark Examiner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office unfairly refuses to register your trademark, we are quite adept at pursuing a successful appeal of the rejection with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.
Trademark Searches
Prior to filing an application to register your trademark, a search for similar marks can be ordered.
We are experienced in evaluating these reports to provide you with an informed opinion on the likelihood of success in registering your mark.
Domain Name Disputes
When a domain name that is confusingly similar to your trademark is registered, it can confuse your customers and harm your business.
If the registrant has no legal right or interest in the domain name and is using it in bad faith, we can help.
We have been successful in cancelling such domain name registrations using the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)'s Uniform Domain-Name Dispute-Resolution Policy (UDRP).
Copyright Applications
We will prepare and file applications for registering copyrights with the United States Copyright Office, to assist you with obtaining a successful registration.