3 Questions To Ask Your Patent Lawyer
Do you have an invention that you want to protect from being stolen? If so, you'll need to file for a patent so that it will be protected under the law. Here are some questions you likely have about patents that you'll want to ask a lawyer.
What's The Difference Between Patents, Copyrights, And Trademarks?
It's important to know that there are three different ways to protect things that you have created. These three things are patents, copyrights, and trademarks, and each is used for a different type of creation. Think of a trademark as a way to identify a brand, product, service, or other aspect of something that you want to prevent others from using. This can be used to protect the name of a product or its unique logo. Copyrights are used to protect works that you created, such as music, books, scripts, and other artistic works.
Patents are used to protect a type of device, product, or process that you have invented. This can be a very specific item that is manufactured in a specific way or a process of how something is done.
Does Anything Receive A Patent?
Be aware that there are limits to things that can be patented in the U.S. If you have an invention that is for a product that is new and useful while not being incredibly obvious to others as to how to make it, you could receive a patent to protect it. There also must not be an existing patent for a similar product, which is why it is important to use a patent attorney. They will do research to determine if there is a similar product out there, even if it has never been created yet. Even having the idea can be enough to file for a patent to prevent others from making it.
What Will Happen If A Patent Is Rejected?
It is possible to go through the process of filing for a patent and having it rejected by the U.S. patent office. Know that there will be an appeal process where you can have your patent examined once again. You also have the option to make alterations to your patent to make it different from other patents that are registered.
Want to move forward with filing for a patent for your invention? Make sure to work with a local patent attorney at a firm like Lingbeck Law Office to ensure it is done right from the very start.
