Obtaining a Utility Patent

A utility patent is granted based on an inventions complete novelty, and the usefulness of the invention. A utility patent lasts for a term of 20 years, and requires a patent fee based on the acceptance of the patent application. Filing a patent is best done with the assistance of a patent lawyer, one to help avoid the potential for patent infringement, and two, to be sure that the details, the organization, and the paperwork necessary to file for a patent is all in perfect order before sending... Read more »

Obtaining a Provisional Patent

A provisional patent is somewhat like obtaining a placeholder patent. The provisional patent is an initial patent, that is similar to a regular patent and is subject to most patent infringement laws, but it will not turn into a typical patent with all the patent rights until the applicant takes additional steps. The U.S. Patent Office has high regulations regarding provisional patents and won’t hand over a provisional patent unless it meets U.S. Patent Office requirements. A provisional patent... Read more »

Knowing and Understanding Copyrights

Copyright infringement and patent infringement are not quite the same thing, although they are based on the same principle, don’t steal what isn’t yours. Copyright infringement refers to not stealing someone else artistic or intellectual property, such as writings or music while patent infringement refers to refraining from stealing an actual product that doesn’t belong to you. The U.S. Copyright Office is responsible for holding onto the records of everything that has been copyrighted... Read more »

California Asbestos Lawyers Representing Thousands

Asbestos litigation and mesothelioma lawsuits are on the rise once again in California. Thankfully, there are top notch, eager asbestos lawyers ready to handle the workload as mesothelioma victims are coming by the thousands in search of their day in court. Mesothelioma lawsuits are now one of the fastest growing medically based lawsuits bracket in California, a perfectly preventable tragedy. California asbestos laws have attempted to make mesothelioma lawsuits harder to file, but the evidence can... Read more »

Comparison Between Trade Secrets, Patents, and Trademarks

It typically requires a patent attorney to define all the nuances between trade secrets, patents, and trademarks, however a few basics don’t require a patent attorney for a generic understanding. Patent infringement is considered an infringement on a product, or a product enhancement that is patented to an existing inventor or company. For a period nearing twenty years, an inventor or company can hold exclusive rights to a patent, and anyone who markets or presents a product that can only... Read more »

Nursing Home Neglect: Bedsores

Bedsores seem as though they are a natural part of being confined to a bed, especially in the elderly. The truth is that bedsores should not develop if the bedridden individual is rotated often enough. Bedsores can be as small as a red spot on the hip or thigh, or can be as severe as an open wound that goes all the way through to the bone. Bedsores are a sign of nursing home neglect. Neglect can be difficult to detect, and with a smiling and friendly staff there to answer all of your questions and... Read more »

California Asbestos Removal Companies

Asbestos removal is the process of ridding a building or material of the asbestos that it may have been originally built with. Abatement companies all over California are busy with asbestos removal, in part due to the influx of asbestos litigation and mesothelioma lawsuits. Asbestos removal by a professional abatement company is only a fraction of the cost of a mesothelioma lawsuit. Asbestos litigation can cost a company millions while asbestos removal only costs a few thousand dollars by comparison.... Read more »

Obtaining a Plant Patent

Patenting a plant is a fairly rare occurrence. The U.S. Patent Office issues between 3 and 5% of new patents annually for plants. Defining a new species of plant and applying for a plant patent can bring the herbal creator quite a bit of money, especially if the plant has any health properties worth marketing. Patent infringement as it relates to plant patents is not uncommon, as those who are aware of the value of a plant patent are also aware of the value of seeking out alternative methods of... Read more »

Filing and Settling Patent Infringement Cases

Patent infringement lawsuits deal directly with patent violations, the violation of an inventor’s right to exclusively market and profit from the novel and original idea. Filing one is costly, and in the United States, the governing body of patents and patent application determines what is unique and original enough to be considered novel. The U.S. Patent Office does not deal with infringement. For this, a lawyer is necessary in order to file a infringement lawsuit. The filing of a patent... Read more »

Proving Patent Infringement has Occurred

Proving that patent infringement has occurred is not quite as cut and dry as it should seem. Lawyers are of course well versed in patent infringement law, but the average individual will have a very difficult time deciphering laws on their own. A lawyer has much more investigative ability than a business or an individual. Through the use of the court system, a lawyer has the ability to request the violating company’s records as well as subpoena information related to a pending case. Businesses... Read more »