Uncategorized

Workshop: Common mistakes and post-filing support

by

The USPTO’s “Path to a Patent” series continues tomorrow with a workshop about common mistakes in patent-filing. Learn about filing a patent application, what to do after you’ve filed, and common mistakes inventors make during the process.  Common mistakes we see include: failing to list all inventors; filling out the forms incorrectly; not reading the …

Read more

Patent-Searching with the USPTO’s New Tool: December 9, 2022

by

Inventors know that a patent search is a big part of research and development. Chief among the free tools researchers use are Google Patents, Espacenet, and the USPTO.  Google Patents adds little features all the time, but the USPTO’s search tool has recently undergone a giant overhaul with a completely new search tool. The new …

Read more

Maintenance Fees: PYFRA!

by

Almost every event in the life of a patent entails fees. Application fees, issue fees, fees for filing a Continuation, and the topic of this blog post: maintenance fees. Maintenance fees are paid to the USPTO to maintain a granted utility patent. (Design patents and plant patents are not subject to maintenance fees.) A patent-holder …

Read more

“Introduction to Intellectual Property” series presented by USPTO

by

Introduction to Intellectual Property is a virtual series offered quarterly by the USPTO. It continues on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 with “Patent Basics” from 2:00 — 3:00 pm ET. The series covers helpful resources for inventors and entrepreneurs.  Tuesday’s class will cover: The process of patent prosecution The role of patent examiners at the USPTO …

Read more

Hand of History — The Mind of the Inventor (Webinar)

by

So, you’re creative AND you’re a history geek? You must sign up for this USPTO webinar. The Hand of History — The Mind of the Inventor is  a month-long series presented by the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Part two is on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 3 pm ET. Presented by historians, the …

Read more

TOMORROW! Intellectual property basics and helpful resources

by

Thursday, May 5, 2022: Free Workshop from the USPTO Unfamiliar with patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets? Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) experts about intellectual property (IP) basics and potential ways to protect your innovation as you transition from idea to product. The discussion will cover: …

Read more

The Path to a Patent, Part I: IP basics

by

hanging lightbulb - idea image

The USPTO is offering a free course in intellectual property, starting with the basics, tomorrow, 1/6/22 at 2:00 pm ET (additional times below). This 1.5-hour class will cover:

  • An overview of the different types of IP (patents, trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights)
  • The patenting process from invention, to application, to issue
  • Requirements for patentability
  • How to determine whether a provisional or nonprovisional application is right for you
  • How to weigh the costs and benefits of hiring a patent practitioner

Please register for this virtual event.

All course times:

More info at the USPTO’s (regional) event page.

 

Learn About Design Patents in USPTO Webinar, Tuesday 12/7/21

by

What is a design patent? How does it differ from a utility patent? Learn the basics of the design patent system from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Register early for this free public event. The December 7 session will be offered virtually, starting at 12 p.m. MT. (2:00 Eastern Time.) Please register by December 6. Contact …

Read more

Run it by a patent agent.

by

Got an idea that you think is patentable? Interested in learning about the patenting process? Ask Scott, the Patent Agent, during his weekly virtual office hours with Venture Cafe Philadelphia. Thursdays from 3 — 4 pm ET. Register for a session through Venture Cafe Philadelphia.