Intellectual Property Directions

Don’t think patents are worth it? Think again!

Bruce — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:07:31 +0000

While admittedly a very special case, funded on both sides by very deep pockets, 1.7 BILLION dollars isn’t chump change to anyone. See http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2010/02/01/daily1.html. One thing this settlement reinforces is the advice I always give clients: you only know you have a valuable patent when someone wants to copy your invention - either by licensing or [...]

A Stitch in time, saves $9000

Bruce — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:01:13 +0000

I’m not much of a seamstress, so I can’t testify to how many stitches are saved by repairing a tear as soon as it happens, but I do know that investing in a prior art search can easily save you from wasting ten or more times as much on an application for an un-patentable invention. And [...]

Enabled but not described?

Bruce — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:38:29 +0000

In a seeming paradox, in the magic world of patent filings it is possible to “enable” your invention - that is, explain to someone of skill in your field how to make or use your invention - and yet not fully meet the written description requirement for obtaining a patent (or at least patent coverage [...]