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Hawaii Patents (Intellectual Property) Questions & Answers
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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1 Answer | Asked in Copyright, Intellectual Property and Patents (Intellectual Property) for Hawaii on
Q: Not sure if I need to patent idea or not.

have an idea for an app that as far as I can search has not been created. I want to make sure I lock this idea in before it gets scooped by someone else, but I'm unsure of what I should do first.

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

One step is to kick your search skills up a level with the tips in my slide set. http://bit.ly/Patent_Searching.

Next you may want to wade into Section 101 issues as some software ideas are no longer welcome at the Patent and Trademark Office. This may be getting deeper into the weeds than...
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1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Patents (Intellectual Property) and Real Estate Law for Hawaii on
Q: I found a Land Patent or Land grant given to my 4th Great Grandpa in 1861 and its signed by Abraham Lincoln how can i cl

How can I claim it?

Kevin E. Flynn
PREMIUM
Kevin E. Flynn
answered on Dec 8, 2017

Although we now associate the word patent with the world of inventions as those with a patent given by a government can exclude others from making, using, selling, or offering to sell something covered by the patent rights -- the term patent was used more broadly in earlier times.

Letters...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Civil Litigation, Patents (Intellectual Property) and Probate for Hawaii on
Q: what does sui juris mean

Hawaii court action to eject tresspassers now say theyhave a trust and interest Hawaiian land laws kuleana lands form served below district courtheading says (per organic act 1900 sec 75 a substitution of the Hawaiian Postal Savings Bank) ? state of Hawaii im plaintiff he is asking for... View More

Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Apr 23, 2017

The answer to your specific question is Sui Juris means 'of age' and is usually referring to beneficiaries of a will or trust -- all of them are now 'of age' and can represent themselves, as opposed to a minor who would need someone to represent his interests. The REMAINDER of... View More

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