JUST FIND YOUR ANSWERS BELOW:
Q
What does the patent application process entail?
Q
What are the fees for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)?
Q
What can be patented?
Design Patents cover only the design/appearance of useful objects. They do not cover the function/construction of the object.
Utility Patents include: machines, articles of manufacture, methods (processes), compositions of matter (chemicals, cell lines), and improvements to any of the items included in this list.
Plant Patents cover plants which are asexually reproducible.
Q
How long is a patent in effect?
Utility Patents: If maintenance fees are paid on time these patents have a potential life of about 20 years after the US filing date of the earliest patent application upon which the patent is based.
Design Patents: Remain valid for 15 years after they are issued with no maintenance fees.
Plant Patents: have a 20-year life with no maintenance fees.
Q
Can a patent be renewed?
Q
Can you have your patent’s term extended?
Q
Are patent applications published?
Q
Does having a patent mean you’re free to build and sell your invention?
A Dominating Patent can stop you from making or selling products of your invention, even if you have a patent.
Q
Does a U.S. patent cover foreign countries?
You can file an “International Application” within 12 months of the original patent application at the US Patent Office (if you are an American citizen or resident) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty(PCT), but eventually, within 30-31 months, you must file a separate application in each of the countries or territories in which you wish to protect your invention.
Q
If I am not a U.S. Citizen or Resident can I get a U.S. Patent?
Q
Why should you get a trademark?
Q
What is the difference between a trademark and a patent?
Q
How are trademark rights obtained?
In most other countries there is a “first to file” rule.
Q
Why get a federal trademark registration?
Q
Can two companies use the same trademark?
Q
When should you consider getting a foreign trademark?