Patents Explained: The Abstract
The abstract is similar to a summary of the patent. It is intended to let the Patent Office and the public quickly know what the patent is about without having to read the entire patent. There aren’t hard rules on…
Think Only Record Companies are Suing? Think Again.
Everyone knows of the widespread copyright infringement the Internet made possible. And I think most of us are aware that the RIAA and record studios have been the most visible face of copyright infringement lawsuits. But movie studios also sue. …
Patents Explained: A Series of Posts
People often don’t understand what exactly a patent is. I’m going to take the next few blog posts to describe the different parts of a patent. A patent generally consists of several items: Abstract Drawings Background / Field of Invention…
Finding and Hiring Reputable Patent Practitioners
When you’ve come up with an invention and are looking for someone to help you obtain a patent, do your comparison shopping and choose carefully. Whether you choose a patent attorney, a patent agent, or an invention promotion service,…
Secrecy, PR, and Media Intrigue
Marc Graser and Dave McNary wrote a great piece over at Variety regarding the difficulties in keeping a blockbuster movie under wraps during production. Pre-release leakage of information, pictures, scripts can destroy a movie – but it can also make…
Bilski v. Kappos – Patentability Tests
The long awaited Bilski decision was released today, and while I haven’t had the chance to read it yet, I have skimmed the blogosphere enough to know what it said. Basically, the Federal Circuit went a little too far, and…
Patience Urged for Bilski
Patent thinkers are going crazy for the Supreme Court to issue Bilski v. Kappos, a case with potential to change the patent landscape: Inventive Step Patently-O – guest post from my old Munich professor John Duffy IPWatchdog ABAJournal 271 Patent…
Choosing a Trademark
If you are starting a company or a new line of products, you can pick a name or logo with an eye toward the trademark ramifications. This is a great scenario. Clients who have been using names for years and…
Reproduction of Trademarks in Photos
Have you ever taken a photo of a busy city street filled with billboards and neon signs? Or maybe a shot of your new car to show it off to your friends? Have you gone around your home identifying photographing…