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Patents (Intellectual Property) Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) on
Q: “Could you clarify what U.S. Patent No. 10,745,83

“Could you clarify what U.S. Patent No. 10,745,833 specifically covers in relation to the product? Does this patent apply to the design, size, or a unique functional feature of the towel? Since a towel is a common and widely available commodity, how is it possible for such an item to be patented,... View More

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 19, 2024

The "Claims" section defines exactly what the patent covers. The two main ("independent") claims are:

1. A fabric, comprising:

a plurality of first material yarns; and

a plurality of second material yarns, in which the plurality of first material yarns...
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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property for South Carolina on
Q: According to U.S. PATENT NO. 10,745,833, we need clarification if we are producing same towels can we import it into US

We are manufacturer of towels, as per U.S. PATENT NO. 10,745,833, we need to know that we are producing same towels in different sizes and want to export it to US. Are we allowed to import towel in US. Is this patent for printing or blank towels also need a little clarification

David Aldrich
David Aldrich
answered on Dec 18, 2024

U.S patents cover importation (if your product infringes the patent, you cannot import them into the U.S. without being liable for infringement). This patent covers both fabric products and methods of manufacture. The specific coverage is defined in the claims, which are of varied scope. Whether... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) on
Q: How long do US patents last?
Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 17, 2024

In general, a utility patent registration lasts 20 years from the date the application was first filed. There are exceptions, though. For example, if certain claims are based on related patent applications filed prior to the one granted registration. Or, if the examination period was longer than it... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property for Michigan on
Q: can I contact an inventor of a patent?

I had the same idea that one inventor patented but he if from Australia. This product doesn't look like it sold in America and I want to get in touch with him to ask him some questions. Is this possible?

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 8, 2024

Yes, you can contact the inventor. Most inventors assign (i.e., sell) their patent. So, you should contact the owner of the patent instead.

If the owner of a patent in a foreign country does not have a correlating patent in the United States, then you are free to make, use, and sell the...
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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: This guy didn’t invent this lure How was he able to patent a product? He took general product and claimed as his own

It’s a common fishing lure. He didn’t add anything special to the lure

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 6, 2024

I don't know which patent or lure you are speaking of, but occasionally the patent examiner will make a mistake and register a patent which is obvious or not novel. There is a procedure at the USPTO to contest a registered patent if you can provide documentation (aka, prior art) that was not... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Nevada on
Q: Is there a patent for counter rotating blades blenders

A two bladed blender with blades operating in different directions.

David Aldrich
David Aldrich
answered on Dec 5, 2024

The question is a little too broad to answer. If you are considering pursuing a patent based on this idea, you should avoid disclosing the details of your invention on a public forum like this, as your own public disclosure could end up being prior art that will impede your ability to obtain a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property on
Q: If I applied for a patent in US, then somebody stole it and done it in another country, like China as example, then if I

Then if I went to China and applied for a patent for the same device, which one of us will take the patent, me or him , if he already applied for a patent after stole it from Me in US ? , does this apply to any country I apply for a patent in it ? Like if I applied in Egypt, which will cost me... View More

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Dec 5, 2024

Patent treaties between countries do not allow this to happen (generally). Patents are country-specific and allow you to make, use, sell, and prevent others from doing the same in that country.

Requirements to get a patent:

1) Able to be used (the invention must work and cannot...
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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property for Arkansas on
Q: Hi. I am consider to paten an apparatus for pulling. The apparatus requires the use of a handle which may be patented.

So the handle is a handle that is primarily used for jump ropes but I am using my handle simply for the motion effect and it will my product will not be a jump rope. Are there any legal problems with this to patent the new product that I am designing.

David Aldrich
David Aldrich
answered on Dec 4, 2024

This type of product is certainly patentable. However, whether you will be able to successfully obtain a patent will depend on whether it has already been disclosed by someone (this is called "prior art"). You should contact a qualified patent attorney directly (this is just public... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) on
Q: Need to provisional patent on a device for vision screening. How Do I file a provisionanl patent to build the POC?

The device is not been made yet. I need to file a patent right away. Is there a patent type that is relatively cheap so we can protect our intellectual property until we build a POC?

Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
answered on Nov 11, 2024

A couple of points:

(1) Congratulations on worrying about patenting your device. Way too many people build the product, sell it, and then seek to get a patent, only to be told that it is too late.

(2) However, there is such a thing as trying to file a patent application too early....
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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property), Trademark and Intellectual Property on
Q: Hi, I am trying to drop ship the nova bag from the website Wool & Oak. I don't know if the product is patent, trademark

I just want to know if I am allowed to drop ship this product and brand it after. Is it legal. So did Wool & Oak patent it or trademarked it or put copyrights on it. The product they sell is the only thing I care about. I won't take anything from their website

Sarah Teresa Haddad
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answered on Nov 3, 2024

The product is most likely subject to more than one form of Intellectual Property protection by its manufacturer or original owner: trademark (its brand), trade dress (protects the overall appearance of the product, including its size, shape, color, texture, and graphics), patents of any... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) on
Q: Patent 8728929 on 2014-05-20 What is the status of the patent at this moment. Thanks
Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Oct 30, 2024

This patent is alive and active.

In general, patent terms expire 20 years from the date of filing. This patent was filed on December 17, 2010.

In some cases, the applicant can request a patent term extension. This applicant received an additional 66 days to its term.

This...
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2 Answers | Asked in Gaming and Patents (Intellectual Property) on
Q: Hi we would like to a patent our technology which allows in game betting for live poker. Also our dynamic odds engine.
Sarah Teresa Haddad
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answered on Oct 30, 2024

I have considered patent eligibility in the past for technology of games such as poker, and the technology and dynamic odds engine needs to contain elements that transform pre-existing processes of game betting for live poker (or abstract ideas) into a patent-eligible application. Please see my... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property for New Jersey on
Q: How can I register an idea?

I have an idea for a novelty in dentistry, researched it, and built a proposal, but I am afraid to present it to anyone because I could lose the rights of my idea. What do you think I should do? Thank you.

Alan Harrison
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answered on Oct 22, 2024

You can file a patent application, or a provisional patent application, to start the process of protecting your idea with a patent. Some ideas might be possible to protect as a trade secret, for example if you knew of a particular way to do a dental operation then you might teach people how to do... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property for Ohio on
Q: I don’t want to infringe on this patent. If my system does not attach to shelf and does is not adjustable in depth would

Patent Claims

1. A method for wire shelf restoring by altering the visual aesthetics of a wire shelf comprising:

providing a top surface covering capable of defining a plurality of depth dimensions;

adjusting the depth of the top surface covering to a predetermined shelf... View More

Sarah Teresa Haddad
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answered on Oct 14, 2024

To directly infringe a method patent claim, a person must have practiced all the steps of the claimed methods. Hence, if the referenced method, is the full method in that particular claim, you will not infringe it if not all of these steps are carried out. If another party under your direction... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Arizona on
Q: Can I file and receive a patent without retaining a lawyer? What would doing so entail ? How would I do this?

Just to tell you: I am no longer employed due to brain and spinal damage from being run over by a truck in 2018. (60% blind, memory damage, constant pain in back and legs, using a walker wherever I go, lethargy from the pain, insomnia)

I am curious about doing this as a hobby activity. I... View More

Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
answered on Oct 8, 2024

Sure, you can file a patent application, and there are plenty of help out there for pro se inventors. One of the best books on how to do this is "Patent It Yourself" by David Pressman from NOLO Press.

However, it is not easy to write a patent application, and it is even harder...
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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) for Connecticut on
Q: Why are patents sold to companies who hate them and have no intention of sharing them with humanity?
Peter D. Mlynek
Peter D. Mlynek
answered on Aug 28, 2024

That is a very good question. Patent lawyers may have their own views on answering this question, but this is a question about public policy, which may be answered by an economist or a knowledgeable policy expert.

Here a few of my thoughts to answer your question.

- Companies...
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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property for Hawaii on
Q: How can companies legally use other patented products?

If a product is patented how are other companies able to produce similar if not identical products? For instance coconut oil is patented under 5108775 so how is it legal for thousands of brands of coconut oil using this same method? Or is it irrelevant if it is branded under something else?

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Sep 5, 2024

Patents also have a lifespan. Typically, a utility patent only lasts for 20 years from the date of filing the application. After that period, the patent enters the public domain and anyone in that country is free to make and use the technology described in the patent. The patent you referenced... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Texas on
Q: Hi, I have developed a prototype solution and would like to know how I can file for patent of this product.

I have developed a solution to integrate Blood Collection , distribution and stakeholders. I would like to patent this solution so that I can seek for investments to build a complete product.

Regards

Natia Kurdadze
Natia Kurdadze
answered on Aug 19, 2024

Filing a patent for your prototype solution involves several steps. Here’s a general overview of the process:

1. Determine the Type of Patent

Utility Patent: Protects the functional aspects of your invention.

Design Patent: Protects the ornamental design of your invention....
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2 Answers | Asked in Patents (Intellectual Property) and Intellectual Property for California on
Q: How do I know if my product has been patented by someone else?

I have a concept for a sandal that I'm trying to get made. I was researching patents, and I don't know if my specific ideas has been made and patented or not.

Jeffrey R. Schell
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Jeffrey R. Schell
answered on Aug 5, 2024

The best way to determine prior patent status of a product is to engage with a patent professional to engage in a freedom to operate search. Prior to that step though, to determine if your product has been patented by someone else, consider the following:

First, understand that patents...
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2 Answers | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Texas on
Q: Can I patent an idea

I had plans of creating a prototype of an idea. Due to a health issue, I unfortunately have limited time in terms of life. I want to be able to carry out this invention but am afraid that once I leave, the people I share this idea with, will say this idea was thought of by them when that is clearly... View More

Jeffrey R. Schell
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Jeffrey R. Schell
answered on Aug 5, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your health situation, and I understand your concerns about protecting your invention. It's commendable that you want to secure your intellectual property and ensure your ideas are recognized as your own.

To address your question: yes, it is possible to...
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