Needham, MA asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Massachusetts

Q: Dog toy/bed/mat that stimulates dog's olfactory senses should be permitted to be made?

1 Lawyer Answer
Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
Answered
  • Patents Lawyer
  • Pittsboro, NC

A: 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 https://www.flynniplaw.com/resources/flynn-ip-law-links ).

You should follow up with a patent attorney to ensure that you have freedom to operate. https://www.flynniplaw.com/services/legal-services/freedom-to-operate/opinions You do not want to invest substantial time and money into this project and then learn later that there is a patent in your way.

Searching for patents won't find all possible threats as some are hidden, but searching will reduce the chances of a patent being out there that you do not know about.

I hope this helps.

Kevin E Flynn

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.