The decision to engage legal counsel is a critical choice for businesses, and options extend beyond the binary choice of in-house counsel and outside general counsel. In-house counsel refers to legal professionals employed directly by a company, offering dedicated legal support and an intimate understanding of the organization’s inner workings. Conversely, outside general counsel entails […]
Widerman Malek Law Blog
Accelerate Your IP Strategy: Leveraging PatentScope API and Automated Document Assembly for US Patent Applications
In today’s highly competitive global business landscape, protecting intellectual property rights is crucial for companies looking to maintain their edge. Expanding your patent portfolio to include the United States is a strategic move, but the process can be complex and resource-intensive. In-house intellectual property counsel located outside the United States can gain a significant advantage […]
Understanding Copyright Protection: Your Guide to Safeguarding Creative Works
In today’s modern age, where creativity has no bounds, protecting your intellectual property is of paramount importance. Copyright protection grants creators exclusive rights to their original works, ensuring they can reap the rewards of their creativity, time, and effort. Whether you’re a writer, photographer, artist, musician, or any other creative professional, here’s a summarized guide […]
Trademark Renewal Solicitation Letters – Are They Scams?
Without a doubt, I get close to two or three calls/emails a week from clients telling me that they received something in the mail telling them that they have to pay a fee in order to keep their trademark registration alive, to renew their trademark registration or, my personal favorite, to “monitor” their trademark application. […]
Decrease in Patent Cooperation Treaty Fees
In the world we live in with record inflation and price increases, the United States Patent and Trademark Office has announced that the fees associated with certain filings for the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) have decreased effective January 1, 2023. The complete US Patent Office fee schedule can be found here. The specific fees that […]
Patent Office Introduces AI Capability for Search
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) introduced new artificial intelligence (AI) capability for examiner searching. The bulletin regarding this announcement can be found here. In the bulletin, it is explained that the AI system can be used by examiners to assist in conducting searches for prior art during the examination process of the […]
International Patent Application Strategies
There are different standards in the United States regarding what is patentable and not compared to foreign jurisdictions, notably in the Japanese and European Patent offices. The decision to pursue foreign protection is not just about what markets you are interested in but also about the viability of getting protection in those markets. In the […]
5 Benefits of a Trademark and Why You Need One to Protect Your Intellectual Property
Trademarks are the building blocks for the success of a new company. There are numerous reasons why a company or an individual needs to secure a trademark, including: 1. Brand Protection The public identifies a trademark and then separates the products and services from the other products and services in that field, creating brand recognition […]
Design Patents: All You Need to Know
What Is a Design Patent? A design patent covers only the ornamental design of an object of manufacture. This means essentially that the design patent protects the appearance of a product. And to be eligible for a design patent, the object’s appearance must be novel and non-obvious. So, there must be something unique about the […]
How to Mitigate Intellectual Property Infringement
When it comes to Intellectual Property, it is essential to consider your options and legal protection. There are many ways individuals can intentionally or unintentionally interfere with your Intellectual Property. Helpful hints to avoid interference by others: Have a Trademark registered for your desired brand’s name, logo, or design to ensure they are secured and […]
