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Massachusetts Patents (Intellectual Property) Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: Hello, I would like to know if patent number d816941 has been granted. I have been accused of infringing this patent bu

Can not find details of this patent anywhere. It looks like this patent is only published and not granted.

Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on May 22, 2018

D816941 is a design patent for the ornamental appearance of an Animal Bathing and Grooming Glove. Design patents are not published as applications so this is an issued patent.

You can find the patent at https://patents.google.com/patent/USD816941S1/en?oq=D816941. Design patents are...
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Q: I am an online seller and received a letter in the mail from another company regarding an item that has a patent pending

I received a certified letter regarding a silicone pipe that I currently sell on many platforms including my own website. The company stated that they have a patent pending on it and that I have to: immediately stop marketing the product, remove the product from all selling platforms and send them... View More

Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on May 16, 2018

This situation merits working with patent attorney to sort out the current status and possibly to intervene to help the Patent Office reject or at least narrow the claims.

As a preliminary step, you may want to check on the status of the pending application using USPTO Public PAIR....
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2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: have any patents been filed in regard to the new lithium extraction process developed by John Burba?
Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
answered on Apr 7, 2018

Yes, he has several dozen patents related to lithium, including extraction process from brine.

Some (but not necessarily all) of the patent applications that he is listed as an inventor are found in the following list:...
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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Patents (Intellectual Property) and Trademark for Massachusetts on
Q: Hi, I created unique aphorisms and want print them on clothes. How prevent copying of aphorisms?

Should I patent it as intellectual property? or copyright?

Should I go to lawyer or I can do it by myself online?

Thank you

Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Apr 4, 2018

Patents are not the answer as the patent part of the PTO does not care about the text; they care about the function or the ornamental design.

You can chase a trademark (need to specify trademark to get this to a TM lawyer on JUSTIA).

Not a perfect fit as a trademark is intended to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: Dog toy/bed/mat that stimulates dog's olfactory senses should be permitted to be made?
Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Mar 30, 2018

Freedom to Operate and Searching.

If you are asking whether there is a relevant patent in the United States that has not expired, I suggest that you do some preliminary searching using my slide set at http://bit.ly/Patent_Searching (one of several sets of slides accessible from...
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2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: if there is a patent on a toy and we want to use the said toy as part of a game, do we need to obtain licenxing rights?

I look at it like taking a patent like dice and using it for a game. Is that legal in that case because the patent has long expired?

Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
answered on Feb 23, 2018

If you want to sell a game that has a toy in it, and the toy is patented, then you would be infringing the patent. You can't get around a patent to a product by adding more stuff to the product.

You'll likely need to obtain a license, or buy the toy from the toy maker.

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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: Is a patent definitely expired if it says Applied 2000 & says for 14 years?

Do I need to search elsewhere for possible extensions?

Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Feb 19, 2018

Since you say 14 years, I am presuming you are looking at a design patent. While the term is longer today, for many years the term of a design patent was 14 years FROM THE ISSUE DATE. So I am concerned that you are looking at the wrong date. You need to look at the issue date, not the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) and Trademark for Massachusetts on
Q: I'm using "Wicked Awesome Stepmom" and received notice that "Wicked Awesome" is trademarked. Can I challenge this?
Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jun 29, 2017

Both sound like a trademark that might be challenged for lack of uniqueness as they are common colloquialisms. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials,... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Family Law, Juvenile Law and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: Where can I turn for real help with an out of control 12 year old when the police wont help?

He has physically hurt his 8 year old brother. He doesn't listen to his father or me. Yells at us, hits walls, throws things and does as he wants.Leaves thw house when he wants, tells us he isnt doing chores becuase he isnt a slave. I am scared of him, what he can do to me and my yougest son.... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on May 27, 2017

Perhaps therapy is the answer. You and your husband may start with a therapist to learn how to deal with this. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials,... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: do i need a lawyer when creating a product

football product which will develop a specific skill set like catching

Adam Studnicki
Adam Studnicki
answered on Aug 30, 2015

If you are considering protection of intellectual property (which is a good idea), talk to a local intellectual property lawyer.

Please Take Notice: I am not your lawyer unless we enter into an engagement agreement in writing. This is general information that is given for legal education...
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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: Is this patent for sale or experiment. Also what does it cover.

I have made a dodecahedron speaker and am trying to sell it, but I do not want to void this patent

Adam Studnicki
Adam Studnicki
answered on Aug 30, 2015

Which patent? Talk to a local patent lawyer for advise about your situation.

Please Take Notice: I am not your lawyer unless we enter into an engagement agreement in writing. This is general information that is given for legal education only. It is not legal advice, and it may not work for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: How to apply for International patent in baby formula preparation ?
Adam Studnicki
Adam Studnicki
answered on Aug 30, 2015

International patents are complicated. Talk to an experienced local patent lawyer.

Please Take Notice: I am not your lawyer unless we enter into an engagement agreement in writing. This is general information that is given for legal education only. It is not legal advice, and it may not...
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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: How do I patent & sell a tensioning system spring?

MY grandfather invented a tension system spring but sadly, he passed away before he could sell it. Both my family & I would love nothing more than to see his invention on the market. It was his dream & we don't want to see ask of his hard work go to waste. We have all of his paper work... View More

Adam Studnicki
Adam Studnicki
answered on Aug 25, 2015

Patents are complicated. A local patent lawyer can advise and assist.

Please Take Notice: I am not your lawyer unless we enter into an engagement agreement in writing. This is general information that is given for legal education only. It is not legal advice, and it may not work for your...
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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts on
Q: What can I do once I have realized that I have written about my 'invention' on my blog - describing it.

I am a doctor and have developed a novel method for treating a specific disease condition and before I decided to patent it I had written blog posts about it on my website.

Mr. Ilya Libenzon
Mr. Ilya Libenzon
answered on Feb 26, 2014

You need to contact a patent attorney to determine if you can move forward with patenting your invention. That would depend on the scope of your blog post disclosure as compared with your invention. I would be glad to help you with your patent needs.

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