Patents
Protecting inventions may be accomplished by use of a combination of patent and trademark protection. An issued patent allows you to prevent others from making using or selling the patented invention for a predetermined time. You are entitled to apply for a patent on an invention for a new, useful and non-obvious invention of your design if the invention is patentable subject matter. You have one year from the date of first publication or offer for sale or disclosure to the public to file for a patent in the United States Patent Office however, to protect potential international patent rights, you must file before disclosing or offer for sale.
Trademarks
A trademark is generally a word, phrase, symbol, or design, or a combination thereof, that identifies and distinguishes the source of the goods of one party from those of others. A trademark typically protects brand names and logos used on goods and services. A registered trademark used with the product or services associates you as the source of goods or services and can be renewed to extend beyond patent protection.
Competitor and Technology Review
A patent audit may identify areas of your business that are available for protection. We work with you to protect the competitive advantages you have invented. Looking outward from your company, intellectual property records may be a good source of information to identify technology or competitive information on trends and innovations by others. Attorney Palmatier has helped design and manufacturing teams with IP based Intelligence reports.