Tag: patent
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What can be patented?
You found nothing like yours in your Google Patents search, and you might feel ready to patent your new idea. It’s not that simple. First, your invention should be new in a sense that people don’t know it yet. Even if nobody really patented an idea, the idea might be known to many as a…
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Patent Infringement: Clearance Search Explained
Patent clearance search is called a Freedom-To-Operate opinion because it reveals others’ patents that are blocking your way. It requires searching and analyzing patent documents in the country where you do business. Even if you invent something new, it is often based on other’s previous works. For example, you get a patent on a new cap design for plastic bottles, which…
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Patent: what is it?
Patent is an expensive but smart way to protect your business. Getting a patent is not a quick and easy process. It usually takes years of prosecution (though you can claim “patent pending” from the moment you file the application) and thousands of dollars. However, the reward is a government sanctioned monopoly. Yes, MONOPOLY. Patent is a deal you make…
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How to Deal with Cease and Desist Letter (Patent or Trademark Infringement Allegation)
When you run a business, there is a chance that one day you receive a letter claiming that you are infringing someone else’s trademark or patent rights. It’s commonly called a “Cease and Desist Letter.” Sending a Cease and Desist Letter (“C&D letter”) is a legitimate practice of enforcing one’s intellectual property (“IP”) rights. When…
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Protect Your Products with Patent
While there’s innovative product like iPhone, most new products are improved versions of old products. Patent protects both. It really doesn’t matter whether your invention makes people’s lives better or not. For example, there is a famous case of a “fake juice dispenser”. The dispenser by its appearance has a tank that contains liquid juice.…
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3 Questions Before Launching a New Product
“Everyone copies!” There is often a grey area between innovation and imitation when it comes to a highly competitive industry. Nevertheless, you often hear about patent infringement lawsuits and trademark disputes. Especially in the U.S., lawsuits and other legal disputes are a serious problem for business owners. If you once get served with a complaint,…
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The Hidden Strength of Walmart
Although Amazon is reigning in the online retail market, if you compare the annual retail sales figures of 2016, Walmart’s $363 billion in annual revenue overshadowed Amazon’s $77 billion. This is a meaningful success in the offline retail market where many retail giants are fiercely competing. What in the earth makes Walmart to score such…
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What is a provisional application in patent?
A provisional patent application does not become an issued patent. It actually just sit in the USPTO without being examined for potential issuance. Then, what a provisional patent application do?It basically earns time to decide whether you should go forward with obtaining patent for an invention. How it goes? You basically disclose your invention in…
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What is Patent?
Patent is an exclusive right to appropriate an invention. Patent is often considered a luxury to a small and midsize business. More often than not, you find out about the importance of patents after someone accuses you of a patent infringement. It could be a cease and desist letter or a service of process. Without an understanding of how…
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How to get a patent without costing a fortune?
How can IPfever reduce the cost of patent? We set up simple rules: (1) you do your own homework; (2) attorneys work online; and (3) we make sure the attorneys fees are proportional to what you get. First, you do your own homework. If you just ignore an issue because it’s too much to deal with yourself, nothing ever changes.…