Andrei Iancu has been confirmed by the United States Senate as the next Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property, and the next Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Iancu was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 94-0.
Widerman Malek Law Blog
The US Patent and Trademark Office Remains Open During Government Shutdown
At 12:01 AM on January 20, 2018, the United States Government went into shutdown based on impasse in congress over budgeting. Of course, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is an agency of the United States Government. The government shutdown applies to all “non-essential” government agencies. For example, agencies that are considered as […]
Is There Legal Protection for Software?
Although the protection strategy has changed, the answer is yes. Until recently, software patents accounted for about half of all utility patents issued by the USPTO. Application of a 2014 U.S. Supreme Court case, Alice v. CLS Bank, effectively slammed the door on this practice. Likewise, software patents issued prior to this decision have been […]
Lee Resigns; Matal Appointed Acting Director of USPTO
In the day following Michelle Lee’s resignation as Director of the USPTO, Joseph Matal was announced as Acting Director.
TRADEMARK ALERT – Trademark System Will Be Down on April 29, 2017
We just received an alert from the United States Patent and Trademark Office that the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) and the Trademark Electronic Application System International (TEASi) will be down for maintenance between 8AM ET and 4PM ET on Saturday April 29, 2017. This should not affect too many people as far as deadlines […]
Girl Scouts Launch Intellectual Property Patch
The Girl Scouts, in conjunction with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, have announced an Intellectual Property (“IP”) patch. Information about the patch can be found here. The Girl Scouts already offer an Innovation Badge, and the IP patch is meant to compliment the Innovation Badge. According to the USPTO website the “IP patch […]
Nintendo Files New Handheld Game Patent
Large companies continually file patents for products and potential products. Gaming company Nintendo is no different. But one patent filed by Nintendo was just uncovered by a Twitter user and shared on his account this week. The patent is of interest because it possibly represents the next generation of handheld gaming devices. The actual patent […]
Provisional Applications versus Non-Provisional Patent Applications
When it comes to creating something that no one else has ever created before, some steps may have to be taken to protect your investment or invention. This can be done by applying for a patent. However, it does not have to be a patent to produce or manufacture your idea, but it can be […]
Everything You Need to Know about Patents
A patent is the legal ownership of intellectual property. You can consider it like a title to your home or car. Without it, you legally do not own anything. And with it, you have exclusive rights to your idea or invention. If you are considering applying for a patent, here are a few considerations. The […]
A Poor Man’s Patent is No Way to Patent Your Idea
A poor man’s patent is not a good way to try to protect your invention. It does not give an inventor the same type of protection as a patent application does, and will not likely be useful to monetize your invention.
