The process of obtaining a patent to your invention can be a difficult and confusing process without the guidance of a patent counsel. The steps of the patent process overview are outlined within the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) Overview. Within the first few steps of USPTO’s Overview, it is stated that seeking out a registered attorney or agent is recommended in order to complete the patent process.
Our registered patent attorney, Michael L. Greenberg, has experience conducting patent searches and screening the results. Our close proximity to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office enables our patent attorney to search relevant original records by hand, if requested.
Different Patent Types
The first step of the patent process is to determine what type of patent is needed. The most well known patent is the Utility Patent. This type of patent protects an invention with a function. A Design Patent protects the look and feel of an item, but does not protect its function (see Utility Patent). A Plant Patent protects the time and money expended producing new variations of plants.
Conducting Patent Searches
Once the type of patent needed is determined, then you must search for similar patented ideas that may exist already. Finding similar ideas will allow the thought process to begin on arguing the uniqueness of your idea combined with thinking through the risks associated with pursuing a like idea of an already existing patent. Once the search is finished, one of Greenberg & Lieberman’s Lawyers will review the results with you.
Protecting Your Ideas
The second that your patentable idea application is filed with a government patent office it becomes “Patent Pending”. Discussing the idea before the patent is “patent pending” is not recommended as the vulnerability of theft or losing international patent rights becomes a possibility. Protect your ideas by keeping them private until your application is filed.
The use of an IP Attorney isn’t required; however, it is greatly advised. Our attorneys have filed many patent applications and provided counseling and litigation services when necessary.
View our work to view different patent and trademark work that our lawyers have counseled for.
Tracking the Process and Keeping Informed
Once your patent application is filed and becomes “patent pending”, our patent attorneys will monitor its progress through the government bureaucracy. The status of each application that Greenberg & Lieberman files is monitored and may include personal visits to the patent office if required. Failure to protect your Intellectual Property (IP) implies permission for potential thieves to infringe upon your information.
It is both the patent owner and our responsibility as your attorneys to monitor the use of your Intellectual Property.
Greenberg & Lieberman, LLC are Intellectual Property Lawyers for decades and are recognized across the United States and Internationally as one of the leading litigators of Intellectual Property Law. Contact us today if you have questions about your IP Rights or believe your intellectual property rights have been infringed.
