Your ideas are your mark on the world. They can be the core of your new business, create an innovative product or see you making more money than before.
When your intellectual property is under threat? There’s a lot that can be lost. That’s why you need to consider setting up a meeting with a patent lawyer this year and getting down all the basics involved in protecting what’s rightfully yours. The age of the Internet means it’s incredibly easy to get your work out and seen by millions of people…and it’s also incredibly easy to have your ideas stripped away, leaving you out-of-pocket. The stateside and international patent process is a complex field, involving dozens of little details, and all of them can be better understood after you meet with a professional.
Patent law is complex, but that’s because it’s worth it. Here are the basics.
Patent Law Has Been Around For A Long Time
The field of patent law is nothing new. It’s simply evolved to reflect the changing times. The very first example of American patent law was introduced back in the late 1700’s, gradually adjusting to include new requirements, dates and terms of usage. The U.S. Patent Office today receives six times as many applications as it did back in 1980, which will only get higher as people become more aware of their property rights. What could a patent attorney in Houston do to give you some peace-of-mind this year?
More People Are Applying For Patents Than Ever Before
Think you’re being paranoid? Don’t be. Many people today are more than aware of all the things that could go wrong when they share their idea, with the last few years being some of the most active when it comes to the domestic patent process. The USPTO issued over 300,000 patents in 2016 alone. This should give you some idea as to the benefits that come with meeting with a patent lawyer and hashing out all the reasons someone might want to claim your intellectual property for their own.
There Are Three Types Of Patents Available
Do you know what kind of patent you qualify for? Double-check with the aid of a patent lawyer and make sure you’re getting the full range of benefits you deserve. The three types of patents defined by the USPTO are utility patents, design patents and plant patents. The utility patent is by far the most common type of patent issued, with recent data provided by the USPTO stating 90% of patent documents have fit this umbrella. Your patent attorneys have their work cut out for them this year, so starting off with a few basics will make things easier for you both.
Your Intellectual Property Needs To Fit This Criteria
What else does your idea need to do? You need to make sure your intellectual property fits specific criteria. To receive a patent your invention needs to portray its usefulness, novelty and non-obviousness. Unique packaging is one such way of getting this across, such as the size or shape of a soft drink bottle. Getting these details out of the way is essential to providing you the wide range of opportunities a patent can give you. According to Lex Machina, a legal analytics firm, there were over 4,000 patent infringement suits filed back in 2016.
You Should Meet With Patent Attorneys
Intellectual property practice is as complex and varied as the people that apply for legal help. Sitting down with a patent lawyer will clear up any doubts you have about your product, provide you with some options and get you on the right track to your success. Not only will a patent protect you in court should you be the victim of infringement, you also have a lengthy timespan to enjoy. Utility and plant patents issued after June of 1995 expire 20 years from the date of application. Design patents expire 14 years from the date of issue. There’s no such thing as being too careful.
Ready to meet with a patent lawyer in Denver? You’ll be glad you did!
