Differences between method and system claims
Method claims are different from system, device, or apparatus claims. Method claims are easier to get, but system claims are easier to … Read more
Means plus function claims
Means plus function claims, described in 35 USC 112(f), are a tricky area of patent law. Unlike more commonly used “structural” claims, … Read more
Intellectual property strategy
Optimize your intellectual property strategy by using a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. In theory, the different categories of … Read more
Utility patents
Utility patents are the best way to protect most inventions. But to get one, you have to convince a USPTO examiner that your … Read more
Provisional patent applications: thoughts and suggestions
Provisional patents, when correctly used, can be used to both quickly and inexpensively attempt to establish that an inventor was first to file. But there can be downsides to taking shortcuts here.
Design patents
For stronger design patents – less detail can give you broader coverage, so consider turning some solid lines into broken lines. On … Read more