The Largest Free Patent and Trademark Q&A Resource: 580+ Posts on IP

How long is the utility patent application process? The USPTO is notorious for its backlog of examining utility nonprovisional patent applications. First-time utility patent applicants…

What is the first-to-file patent system? US patent laws no longer recognize who was first to invent, but rather who applied first for a patent.…

What is a patent priority date? Priority date refers to the earliest filing date in a family of patent applications. Where only a single patent…

Reasons for Procuring US Design Patents Chinese design patent owners will already know the benefits of design patent protection in the US. Unlike US utility patents,…

What are negative claim limitations? A negative claim limitation is language recited in a patent claim that speaks to the absence of a feature, as…

How to Transfer Patent Ownership Patent ownership starts with the inventors. It is fairly straightforward, however, to transfer ownership to a company. Every patent application…

What is the initial filing cost of a US design patent application? Excluding USPTO fees, our initial filing cost of a US design patent application…

What is a freedom to operate or patent infringement search? A freedom to operate search or review is basically an analysis to see if you…

What is the European Patent Office? Getting a utility patent in Europe a bit different than patenting in other foreign countries. A single utility patent…

Drawing the line between old and new The term “prior art” is frequently used in the patent world to refer to what already exists. It’s the…

What is a Section 112 indefinite rejection? Patent claims must follow certain rigid rules in terms of format and language. For this reason, claims will often…

Effective date New TTAB rules for trademark oppositions and cancellations take effect on Jan. 14, 2017. ESTTA Electronic Filing All submissions must be filed through the…

What is a primarily geographically descriptive trademark? If you apply for a trademark that contains a geographic location, there is a risk that your application…

What are excess claims? In a US nonprovisional utility patent application, the USPTO will charge additional government fees for claims that exceed certain limits. The…

How can a novelty search can help you file a utility nonprovisional patent application? Before investing in an expensive utility patent application, a utility novelty…