Amended claims: What can go wrong in a patent amendment?
When are marked-up amended claims not required? Patent claims must be amended in a very particular manner. The USPTO has strict marking rules on how…
The Largest Free Patent and Trademark Q&A Resource: 570+ Posts on IP
How to trademark a new company name: Should founders search trademarks before incorporating?
How to trademark a new company name: First incorporate or search trademarks? This question might catch you off guard if your plans for incorporation didn’t…
Startup patent guide: Where to start
What is a smart patent strategy for startups? For startups, knowing where to start with patents is the hard part. Once you have an IP…
How Startups Should File Trademark Applications
When your startup company name is also the trademark for your product Before incorporating, it is best to search the USPTO trademark database for your…
When is a trademark primarily merely a surname?
What is a surname trademark? If you are attempting to register a mark that constitutes or includes a surname, there is a significant risk that…
How to Defend a Trademark Cancellation
What is a trademark cancellation? A trademark cancellation is a mini-lawsuit filed with the TTAB to attack a trademark registration. Cancellations deal with only registered…
What is an Advisory Action (AA)?
What is an Advisory Action? In response to a Final Office Action, an applicant has the option file an after-final response without a Request for…
What is a utility nonprovisional patent application?
Utility Nonprovisional Patent Application: Is this the right patent filing for your concept? A nonprovisional patent application is what you file to get a utility…
Provisional Patent Application: How to Use a PPA Effectively
What is a provisional patent application? So you’re thinking about getting a utility patent, but you’re not sure whether you want to invest in such…
How to Understand Patent Claims
How do you read utility patent claims? What exactly does a utility patent cover? It boils down to the claims. Yet, they are the least…
Flat Rate Patent Costs: Everything You Need to Know
What is a flat rate patent application? Flat rate initial filing A flat rate patent application generally refers to a patent application that is initially…
How to Follow Through After Filing a Provisional Patent Application
What are next steps after filing a provisional patent application? So you’ve filed a provisional patent application. Now what? The next steps depend upon a…
Why file a continuation before your patent is granted?
Why file a continuation application before your patent is granted? “I don’t know what I don’t know.” This axiom rings true especially when it comes…
Utility Patent Process: Nonprovisional Patent Application Process from Start to Finish
What is the utility patent process? The utility patent process is typically a long arduous journey. We’ll try to simplify the patent application process by…
Can a single design patent application include multiple designs?
Can a single design patent application include multiple designs? You can try, but the risks and consequences of failure may heavily outweigh potential benefits. Under…
Ready to Slay Goliath?
Not sure where to start? Email US patent attorney Vic Lin at vlin@icaplaw.com.