Blog - Daniel Law Offices, P.A.

29Sep 2021 by Pat Geddie

Who Should You Tell About a New Invention?

When you are working on a new invention, there are definite risks to loose lips. Until you patent the invention, your intellectual property is at risk. Therefore, you should be very careful about whom you tell. Your rights to your own work are at stake. Many inventors will try to insist on a non-disclosure agreement before they talk to anyone about their invention. This does not always work, as some of the people who you need to speak with (investors, licensees) do not make it a practice to sign an NDA. The balance of power is often in favor of the people who you need to make your invention work, so they do not need to do what they do not want. Patents Are Given to the First to File…

29Aug 2021 by Pat Geddie

Applying for a Provisional Patent

Patents

There are times that you need to plant your flag, even before you obtain a patent. In some cases, the perception of ownership may be enough to frighten away competitors. One way to do this is through a provisional patent application (PPA). A PPA gives you time to test the market. You may not know whether it is worth it to file a full-fledged patent application. With a PPA, you have the ability to mark your invention as “patent pending,” the same as you would if you applied for a normal patent. How to Apply for a Provisional Patent The process of applying for a PPA is much more streamlined. In fact, there are only three things that you need to do: Perform a patent search for inventions that are…

29Jul 2021 by Pat Geddie

What is Patent Prosecution?

Patents

Patent prosecution has nothing to do with a courtroom case, even though the name suggests otherwise. It is the process of dealing with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to obtain a patent for an invention. There is an argument to an extent. You are making the case that you should be granted a patent. Patent prosecution begins when you fill out a patent application along with the supporting documentation that explains why you should be awarded a patent. Then, you will have a back-and-forth with the USPTO. This is the heart of the patent prosecution process. The Patent Application Itself Begins the Process The USPTO will assign a patent examiner to your case. Based on your initial application, the patent examiner will either accept or reject your application.…

22Jun 2021 by Pat Geddie

Steps to Monetize Your Invention

Invention

When you come up with what you believe is a million-dollar invention, you might begin seeing dollar signs in your imagination right away. Unfortunately, there are several things you need to do before those dollar signs become a reality. The following are some basic steps to monetize your invention whenever possible. You should also never hesitate to discuss the matter with an invention attorney who can provide more detailed and tailored guidance. The following are some steps you can take to monetize your idea. Determine if Your Invention is Patentable - You might think you have an original and novel idea when, in reality, someone already has a patent for the same - or highly similar - design. An attorney can review whether your invention meets the legal standards of…

03May 2021 by Pat Geddie

Appealing a Patent Denial

Patents

Many inventors are excited about their designs, only to have their excitement squashed when their patent applications are denied. Keep in mind that patent applications are highly technical with many requirements, and it is all too common for inventors who file applications on their own to receive denials. Rest assured that there are options, and it might not be the end of the road for your patent protections. The best move is to consult with an Orlando patent lawyer as soon as you receive a rejection. Filing Your Appeal The first step is to determine why your patent was denied. Did you fail to provide sufficient documentation or a thorough explanation of your work? Is there a more complex legal reason under patent law? Our law firm will review the…

15Mar 2021 by Pat Geddie

Identifying Patent Infringement

Patents

Once you have a patent in place for your invention, you might be tempted to rest easy and assume that no one can steal your idea or design. However, patent infringement happens more regularly than you might imagine, and it can lead to losses for patent holders, as well as unjust enrichment for infringers. You want to identify patent infringement as soon as possible to try to mitigate your losses, as well as stop future consumer confusion as soon as possible. If you have concerns over possible infringement, speak with an Orlando patent attorney right away. Detecting Infringement There are no “patent police” who monitor the use of patented inventions. Instead, it falls on your shoulders to identify infringement and take the necessary action. This can be difficult because many…

28Jan 2021 by Pat Geddie

Federal Trademark Law Changes Passed with COVID-19 Relief

Trademark

Congress recently passed a major spending and relief bill called the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. As part of this bill, they also implemented some important changes to intellectual property laws in the United States, including trademark laws. These changes might go unnoticed to many, as the focus of the legislation appeared to be COVID-19 pandemic relief. The following is a brief overview of some of the trademark law changes that were enacted in early 2021. If you have questions about a specific situation, please contact an Orlando trademark attorney directly. The Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 Known as the TM Act of 2020, this new legislation amends the Lanham Act in several important ways: Third parties may now submit evidence for the USPTO to consider against a trademark application.…

10Dec 2020 by Pat Geddie

Do You have a COVID-19-Related Invention?

Invention

While the COVID-19 pandemic has been detrimental to many people and businesses for many reasons, there are some interesting things that have come from 2020. Many people have invented new products or apps that help people navigate the restrictions of the pandemic and keep themselves safe by minimizing possible exposure. Some unique pandemic ideas include: One cafe in Germany has patrons wear social distancing hats made from pool noodles A supermarket released an app so shoppers can determine when are the least crowded times to go to the store Nintendo’s popular game Animal Crossing allows you to go on virtual vacations to see international landmarks and attractions Certain companies launched vending machines for people to buy masks and other PPE on the go Pre-designed floor coverings show people how to…

29Oct 2020 by Pat Geddie

Protecting Your Software Development

Patents

Many companies thrive by developing software - whether the software is for in-house operations or for sale. One way to protect your software ownership is to apply for a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or for a copyright from the United States Copyright Office. The patent application process can be complicated and time-consuming, but new software is also time-consuming and complex, so it is worthy of protection. Seek help from a patent lawyer in Orlando who can handle the patent process for you. Software Patents and Copyrights A software patent can be granted for software designs deemed non-obvious and novel. You can also seek a copyright to protect the expression of your design through tangible code. Whether another party tries to steal your idea or repurpose…

28Sep 2020 by Pat Geddie

Types of Copyright Infringement

When you have a copyright, other parties can infringe on your ownership rights in different ways. Each copyright infringement case is unique, and you want to have the right copyright lawyer in Orlando handling your case. The following are some examples of what copyright infringement claims might allege. Infringement of the right of reproduction - This claim arises when another party reproduces copies of your copyrighted work in a fixed form without permission from the copyright owner. Infringement of the right of distribution - This means that someone else had copies of the copyright and sold or distributed them to others without license from the copyright owner. Infringement of the right to derivative works - You can bring this claim when someone creates a new work that is based on…

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Who Should You Tell About a New Invention?

Applying for a Provisional Patent

What is Patent Prosecution?

Steps to Monetize Your Invention

Appealing a Patent Denial

Identifying Patent Infringement

Federal Trademark Law Changes Passed with COVID-19 Relief

Do You have a COVID-19-Related Invention?

Protecting Your Software Development

Types of Copyright Infringement

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