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
Design patent obviousness
Design patents must be non-obvious under 35 USC 103. But, because the examiner is visually comparing different drawings, this analysis can be … Read more
The hidden complexity of trademarks
Trademarks may look simple, but they are not. Trademarks are a “use it or lose it” form of IP, and there are a lot of “gotchas” that can trip up the unwary.
Copyrights and creativity
Copyright protection requires that a work have at least a minimum amount of human creativity, but the laws are vague as to … Read more
Patents and printed matter
Printed matter (text, symbols, images) usually falls under copyright law and not patent law. The exception — when the printed matter improves … Read more
Trade Secrets
Consider trade secrets, especially when your commercially important secrets are unsuitable for patent or copyright protection.