For many U.S. innovators, Europe is a priority market for commercialization and for preventing competitor encroachment. Historically, securing protection across multiple European countries required filing a European Patent Office (EPO) application, prosecuting the application until receiving a grant, and then validating the granted application in each country where protection was needed. This system works, but […]
When the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced its new Streamlined Claim Set Pilot Program, Widerman Malek partner and patent attorney Dan Pierron quickly shared his analysis with the IP community. His LinkedIn article outlining the program’s details and implications sparked attention across the industry. It even caught the eye of MLex, who later […]
Of all the rapidly evolving fields of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a major cornerstone of innovation. As AI systems continue to grow in usage, implementation, and sophistication, the question arises: can you patent artificial intelligence? The answer is yes, but with a few notable nuances. What is a Patent and Who Can Get […]
In the changing world of innovation and technology, protecting intellectual property is a necessity for maintaining a competitive edge. One of the primary mechanisms for securing such protection is through patents. In the United States, patents are granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). They provide inventors and businesses with exclusive rights […]
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is set to implement a significant overhaul of its fee structure for the fiscal year 2025. This move, aimed at optimizing the service provided to American innovators, includes the introduction of new fees and an increase in existing ones. These fee increases could alter prosecution and timing […]
For small businesses seeking to differentiate themselves, patentable intellectual property can be a cornerstone for success. Whether it’s a groundbreaking product design, innovative software, or a unique process, patenting your intellectual property is crucial. But when should small business owners pull the trigger and consult with a patent attorney to secure those rights? Let’s discuss […]
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 […]
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 […]
Effective January 7, 2019 U.S. patent examiners will have a new set of guidelines at their disposal to evaluate software patent applications. The guidelines have codified recent case law to provide more consistency in Patent Office actions dealing with software. The new guidelines emphasize that when evaluating a software patent application an examiner must apply […]
