A patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention. Patents benefit inventors by providing them with legal protection of their inventions. However, patents also benefit the society by providing public access to technical information about these inventions, and thus accelerating innovation.
By Gary Shuster Nintendo made headlines when it sued Pocketpair, the makers of Palworld, over patent infringement. The case raises fascinating questions about how patent law applies to video games — and specifically, how patent territoriality works when dealing with…
By Gary Shuster Provisional patent applications are one of the most valuable tools available to inventors. They let you establish a priority date, secure “patent pending” status, and buy yourself time — all at a fraction of the cost of…
By Gary Shuster Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are one of the most common legal tools in business and innovation. They’re simple in concept — one party agrees not to share the other party’s confidential information — but the details matter enormously.…
By Gary Shuster The very first patent issued by the United States was signed by President George Washington himself, along with Thomas Jefferson (then Secretary of State) and Edmund Randolph (Attorney General). It was granted on July 31, 1790, to…
By Gary Shuster Today, we’re tackling a big, broad topic: Intellectual Property (IP). If you’ve ever felt intimidated or confused by “patentese” or overly legal terminology, or wondered how to protect your creations, this is for you. Let’s break it…
By Gary Shuster A continuation application is a powerful tool in U.S. patent law. It allows you to pursue additional or modified claims from the same original disclosure, without having to start the entire patent process over, and without having…
By Gary Shuster Patent assignments aren’t the heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat excitement that gets you out of bed in the morning, but they are critical for anyone involved in intellectual property. While the subject may seem dry, the stakes couldn’t be higher.…
By Gary Shuster What Is a Provisional Patent Application? A provisional patent application (PPA) is a filing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) that establishes your filing date — if you do it right, including enabling a…
By Gary Shuster When you think of Jamie Lee Curtis, her movie roles are almost certainly what comes to mind. What you probably didn’t know about Ms. Curtis is that she received a U.S. patent for a diaper that has…
By Gary Shuster The quick answer is this: A utility patent application is a written application to a patent office seeking a patent on a function. Whether it is a process, a device, or a method, the patent claims cover…
