In the world we live in with record inflation and price increases, the United States Patent and Trademark Office has announced that the fees associated with certain filings for the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) have decreased effective January 1, 2023. The complete US Patent Office fee schedule can be found here. The specific fees that […]
Widerman Malek Law Blog
International Patent Application Strategies
There are different standards in the United States regarding what is patentable and not compared to foreign jurisdictions, notably in the Japanese and European Patent offices. The decision to pursue foreign protection is not just about what markets you are interested in but also about the viability of getting protection in those markets. In the […]
Design Patents: All You Need to Know
What Is a Design Patent? A design patent covers only the ornamental design of an object of manufacture. This means essentially that the design patent protects the appearance of a product. And to be eligible for a design patent, the object’s appearance must be novel and non-obvious. So, there must be something unique about the […]
How to Mitigate Intellectual Property Infringement
When it comes to Intellectual Property, it is essential to consider your options and legal protection. There are many ways individuals can intentionally or unintentionally interfere with your Intellectual Property. Helpful hints to avoid interference by others: Have a Trademark registered for your desired brand’s name, logo, or design to ensure they are secured and […]
Why are Patents Important? Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Many people ask, “Are patents worth getting and what substantial benefits do they offer?” The answer is unequivocally, yes. The advantages of obtaining a patent almost always outweigh the potential complications that may arise if one is not secured. Especially if you plan to manufacture and sell your product on your own, a patent helps […]
US Patent Office Offers Assistance During COVID-19 Crisis
The United States Patent and Trademark Office is offering relief to those affected by the Coronavirus outbreak. Understanding that deadlines may be missed during the crisis, the USPTO is offering to waive the fees associated with a petition to revive a patent application should the patent application become abandoned due to an inventor, or a […]
Hong Kong Launches New Patent System
At Widerman Malek, we have a global network of attorneys and law firms to keep our clients apprised of new procedures in the world of intellectual property. Our Hong Kong colleagues, Ai-Leen Lim and Charlie Liu of AWA Asia, recently posted an update about Hong Kong’s new patent system. Here is what you need to […]
USPTO Proposes New Fee Adjustments
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has released a Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would increase many USPTO Fees. The stated purpose of the fee increases is to recover the costs incurred by the USPTO in carrying out its mandate. The USPTO performed a Regulatory Impact Analysis that “did not identify any […]
Japan IP High Court Says, Steak Providing System is Patent Eligible
Our firm prides itself on being a resource for our clients and referral sources for all legal matters including intellectual property. Our relationships create a network of lawyers and firms across the world keeping us at the forefront of new procedures and changes in patent and trademark law. Our fellow Japanese intellectual property attorney, Aki […]
Supreme Court to Tackle Issue of Who Pays Trademark Litigation Fees
The US Supreme Court agreed to decide whether the US Patent and Trademark Office’s policy of requiring its attorneys’ fees be paid regardless of the outcome of the case is legal. The district court circuit split arises from language in both the Patent Act and the Lanham Act that requires applicants, who file de novo […]
