Patent Law | Blog for Business Law

— By Joseph RolnickiFebruary 28, 20170 Comments

U.S. Patent Office Provides a Second Bite at the Apple After a Final Rejection

The U.S. Patent Office has extended the After Final Consideration Pilot 2.0 (AFCP 2.0) in its current form through September 30, 2017. This enables patent applicants to take a second bite at getting claims of their patent application that have been given a final rejection…

— By Joseph RolnickiNovember 16, 20160 Comments

Initial Patentability Research at No Cost

When I meet with a client to discuss the possibility of their obtaining patent protection for a new product or process (their invention), the discussion usually begins with my asking if they have done any initial patentability research for their invention. Often, the client has…

— By Joseph RolnickiJuly 26, 20160 Comments

Questions on the Patenting Process

I frequently speak with individuals who believe they have come up with a new invention and want to protect it with a patent, but have no idea of how to go about obtaining a patent. The patenting process can be complicated if it is not…

— By Joseph RolnickiApril 28, 20160 Comments

What Do I Need to Protect My Invention, a Copyright, a Trademark or a Patent?

I often speak with owners of small businesses or start ups that want to protect their new product or ideas from being copied by competitors. Some tell me they would like to copyright their new product or idea. Some tell me they need a trademark…

Patent Law Trademark Law

— By Don V. KellyMay 26, 20150 Comments

The Sharp Startup: Why We Don’t Trademark Anything

Clients often ask me: “Can we trademark this?” or “Should we trademark this?” I respond bluntly, but politely: “In the United States, we do not “trademark” anything.” Admittedly, I can be an annoying verbal perfectionist. However, the true reason I respond bluntly is because it…