Your intellectual property is important. Without a patent to protect your rights you could be losing not just money, but your future as an entrepreneur.
Today’s world is more in need of patent attorneys than ever. Thanks to digital resources and the Internet it’s incredibly easy for malicious parties to infringe on your rights, whether it’s printing your illustration on a t-shirt or claiming intellectual property to your brand name. The domestic patent process may seem intimidating at first, but speaking with patent attorneys will clear up any lingering doubts about your ability to look after what’s yours. It’s up to you to learn more about what kind of patent you need to launch your career with confidence.
Your intellectual property is important. Let’s take a look at what you can expect when meeting with patent attorneys.
Patents are not a new invention. In fact, they’ve been around for quite some time to look after the interests of creators and business owners. The very first American patent law was enacted back in 1790, though many revisions have been crafted to keep up with changing times. The U.S. Patent Office today receives six times as many applications as it did in 1980, with these figures only expected to grow as more people discover the benefits of starting their own business or selling their work on the side.
First things first. What intellectual property are you trying to protect? There are four ways to protect your work and put you in a better place to create without fear. These are patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets. There are also three kinds of patents, which include utility patents, design patents and plant patents. Choosing the right one is easier with the aid of patent attorneys who are not just familiar with the law, but have worked with similar clients in the past. Patent law is always changing and the patent process of today will look a little different tomorrow.
The type of patent you apply for will determine how long your intellectual property will be maintained under national law. In order to receive this in the first place your invention needs to meet three criteria. This is usefulness (how will it be applied in everyday life?), novelty (how does it hold up to other similar creations?) and non-obviousness (how inventive is your creation?). Today the utility patent is the most common type of patent issued by the United States Patent And Trademark Office, totaling over 90% of patent documents.
Patents are not permanent. Design patents, for example, expire 14 years from the date of issue. Utility and plant patents issued after June of 1995 will expire 20 years from the date of application alongside maintenance fee payment. Keep in mind that unique packaging, such as the size or shape of a new soft drink bottle, can be eligible for a design patent. These will only protect a given design for 14 years, while a utility patent will give you an extra six. Any questions you have should be brought to a Houston patent attorney.
Today it is easier than ever to take someone’s intellectual property. Back in 2016 digital communication and computer technology claimed both the first and second place in the list of technologies with the most international patent applications. According to recent legal analytics provided by Lex Machina, there were over 4,000 patent infringement suits filed just two years ago. The year 2016 saw USPTO issuing over 300,000 patents. A patent lawyer can look over your application, answer your questions and steer you in the right direction.
Don’t leave your intellectual property up to chance. Protect your rights with the aid of patent attorneys.