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Maryland Patents (Intellectual Property) Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Maryland on
Q: With a Provisional Patent; What are next steps to keep secure while shopping invention?

I have a gaming/dining table I am marketing with the provisional patent in place. What what be the best moves to make next in terms of trade secrets, non-competition agreements, non-disclosure, copyright, etc.?

Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Nov 28, 2017

You need to get connected with an attorney that has been down this road many times before. You will need a non-disclosure/non-use agreement that is used with folks that are given access to your design.

To the extent that you work with vendors to improve your design, the paperwork needs...
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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Maryland on
Q: What are steps to patent a process? Can this claim be on the same form as the design or utility patent?

I have a new and useful process to patent.

Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Nov 25, 2017

There are three types of patents in the US:

plant patents,

design patents (on the ornamental appearance of something), and

utility patents.

The latter is the most common so people frequently say patent rather than utility patent. Within utility patents, the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Maryland on
Q: How important are number of pictures for patent? I have three for a gaming table
Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Nov 18, 2017

You need to have enough detail so that others can make and use your idea. Some patents have no drawings at all. Some have three or less. Some have dozens of drawings -- especially if they are showing many different variations on the idea or if there are many flow charts on processes.

I...
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Q: I want to file an international patent; what are specific procedures and requirements?
Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Nov 18, 2017

There is not really an international patent. There is a process to file a patent application which serves as the front end for the patent application systems for 152 countries or regions http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/pct_contracting_states.html. This is a Patent Cooperation Treaty Application (PCT).... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Maryland on
Q: When filing an patent; what are specific differences relating to an improvement on an invention vs. an invention?

I have made an invention that can simply be completed by altering any type of table; end result being a what I'd term as an improvement on dining and gaming tables. I did not invent dining, gaming, or the combination of the two. However, I did invent without using any prior as inspiration,... View More

Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Nov 18, 2017

Great question.

Here are some points to consider.

1) It is extremely rare that someone submits a patent application for the first x (first transistor, first airplane, first telephone). We remember those folks as they are few and far between. Most patent applications are filed on...
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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Maryland on
Q: I have tried USPTO recomended methods; Is there any other way to look up a specific item's patent number?

"Sterling Games 3 in 1 Chess Table" Is the product I altered for prototype; I emailed company I purchased from, they transferred me to manufacturer but no luck. The USPTO gives me plenty of examples of similar products, but not the exact one that I altered. Thanks for your any advice

Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
answered on Nov 14, 2017

Every patented product should have the patent information attached to it. If the product is such that it is not possible to attach patent information to it, then it should be on the packaging or any attached literature. Finally, recently it became legal to list on the product just a URL which... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Native American Law and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Maryland on
Q: How many variations can be covered in one patent? I created a gaming table that I foresee being done in Multiple ways.

Gaming table utilizes a clear surface, but that could be done via glass, plastic, etc.

Table is also able to be fliped over utilizing both sides, however this could be done manually, mechanically, or electronically

Also, I am "American Indian" and do not belong to a... View More

Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
answered on Nov 13, 2017

There is no limit how many variations of ONE invention you can cover.

But, you cannot claim more than one invention in one patent. If the Examiner thinks that the claims cover more than one invention, then he/she will issue a restriction and ask you to elect only one invention to...
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