Trademark Use vs. Registration: What is the difference?
Do you need a registration in order to use a trademark? No, there is no legal requirement to register or even apply for a mark…
The Largest Free Patent and Trademark Q&A Resource: 570+ Posts on IP
Why or why not file a patent application?
Why not file a patent application? Deciding whether or not to file a patent application is not easy. Endless questions may be circling in the…
What PCT strategy would help a US national stage application?
Is there a PCT strategy that will benefit your US national stage? The PCT application is more than something to push back deadlines. While the…
What are claim amendments?
What are patent claim amendments? Claim amendments are a natural part of the utility patent process. A typical utility nonprovisional patent application will receive at…
Who is the trademark applicant?
Who should be identified as the applicant in a trademark application? In every trademark application filed with the USPTO, an applicant must be properly identified.…
How to Review a Draft Patent Application and Provide Useful Comments
What kinds of comments are useful in revising a draft patent application? So your patent attorney has sent you a first draft of your utility…
Who is the trademark examining attorney?
Is the trademark examiner a licensed attorney? Yes, trademark examiners at the USPTO are licensed attorneys at law. That is why they are called examining…
What is a trademark refusal?
What are the different types of trademark refusals? As much as you try to avoid it, you may receive a refusal to register your mark…
What are allowable claims?
What are allowed or allowable claims in a utility patent application? So, the examiner indicates that your utility patent application has allowable claims. Congratulations! The…
How to prepare a PCT application for US national stage entry
How to prepare a PCT application for optimal US national stage entry PCT applications are typically filed in the country of the applicant or with…
How is the US national stage different from other PCT country national phases?
How does the US national stage differ from other PCT countries? Most PCT applicants will likely consider the US as one of the potential national…
How to Trademark a Logo
Can you register a trademark for your logo? A well designed logo can mean so much to your business. It can embody not only what…
How to Trademark a Logo: Can you register a design mark similar to a word mark?
How does a design mark application compare to a word mark registration? To register a trademark without regard to style, a trademark application may typically…
Do you need a prototype before filing a patent?
Do you need a prototype before a patent is filed? No, you do not need to build a working prototype before filing a patent application.…
How To File A US Utility Patent Based On Foreign Priority Claim (Paris Convention, not PCT)
What is a conventional priority claim? A US utility patent application may be filed claiming the benefit of an earlier filing date of a foreign…
Ready to Slay Goliath?
Not sure where to start? Email US patent attorney Vic Lin at vlin@icaplaw.com.