Get free answers to your Patents (Intellectual Property) legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I've been thinking and talking to invent help, but I need to patent it first. And how long does it take to complete. And what should I do first?
answered on Oct 15, 2021
I think the best place to start is by reading some patents that are in the field where you hope to obtain a patent. Getting a patent is hard. This will make more sense once you have read some patents and maybe looked at the arguments made during the process to examine the patent. This will get... View More 
Approx. twenty years ago my father, xxx, invented the multi-bevel needle for Becton-Dickinson. He worked there for 37 years & has since retired. They named him the "Founding Father of the Five-Bevel Needle". All he received for this was a satin jacket with this embroidered on it.... View More
answered on Jul 23, 2020
Congratulations to your father for making a real contribution to an important medical device.
As a general rule, when you are paid to invent, then company expects that the fruits of your work belong to the company. Normally, you sign agreements or consent to company policies as a part of... View More
answered on Jul 1, 2019
Assuming that you are seeking a US patent, then the rule is in 35 USC 102 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/35/102 which was updated in March of 2013.
Under the current rules, any offer for sale (or sale) of your invention immediately ended your option to seek a US patent. A sale... View More
If someone is already selling the gimmick needed for a magic trick along with instructions on how to do the trick am I able to make the gimmick and instructions myself and sell it as my own? Basically I would be rebranding an already existing magic trick product. I've heard that magic tricks... View More
answered on Jul 20, 2016
While I don't know the specific gimmick, the general rule in the U.S. is "yes." Unless it is patented (very unlikely for a magic trick) or copyrighted (available only for the "patter" or pantomime surrounding the trick), then it is free to copy for anyone who knows the... View More
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