No matter what business you are in, you must get credit for the work you do. Though there are many ways to do this, one of the best ways to ensure your work is credited to you is through intellectual property protections. This may sound intimidating, but intellectual property is a large part of the legal system and is a fairly easy way to protect your business.
Patents are a unique facet of intellectual property protection. They have enormous power and can give you a significant advantage in your market. All companies that can patent part of their work should do so, as it is an asset that not all businesses have access to. Patents have the power to catapult your company to the top of the industry, especially when executed with an experienced Orange County patent lawyer.
If you are considering creating a patent for your company, it is important to hire an attorney. However, it can be difficult to find the right attorney when you do not know what patent attorneys do. We are here to help you understand the patent process and why hiring a patent attorney is so important.
What Is a Patent?
Before you can understand what a patent attorney does, you must understand what a patent is. As mentioned, a patent offers protection for your intellectual property. Many people are familiar with copyrights and trademarks, which do the same thing. However, unlike copyrights and trademarks, patents protect an entire product or process rather than just a logo or written content. For the length of the patent, you have the sole ability to use, replicate, and sell the patented invention.
For example, let’s say that your company manufactures coffee, and you invented a new coffee grinder that preserves the flavor of the beans. If you patent your coffee grinder, no other competitor can use or create the same type of grinder without your permission. You will have the advantage of being the only company in the industry with access to this specific type of coffee grinder. This gives you an edge over your competition.
Advantages of Patents
As mentioned in the example above, patents give you the advantage of being the only company with access to your invention. However, there are other benefits as well. If you are a patent owner, you may decide to allow others to use your patented item by selling them access. This means you benefit financially from the competition, and you can create a barrier to entry in your industry. By doing this, you are gaining a financial advantage and can moderate control over your competition.
A famous example of this is Bluetooth technology. Jaap Haartsen invented Bluetooth in 1994. Because he patented the technology, every company that created devices with Bluetooth in it had to pay for the right to do so. That is a lot of money coming in for a single invention.
Though patents only last for 20 years, you can benefit significantly during that time. Patents are worth exploring if you have a product or invention that you have created.
What Does a Patent Lawyer Do?
The process of obtaining a patent can be fairly complicated, and it is important to do it correctly. If you make mistakes during your patent application, you can lengthen the time it takes for your patent to be enforceable. During this time, you are losing money as other people can legally use the product without your permission. You can also void your ability to get a patent completely if you make significant errors during the patent process.
A patent attorney can help you navigate the patent process. They can create an application that is airtight, compelling, and protects you and your company from vulnerability. Without the help of a lawyer, your patent may be unenforceable or not legally binding. The patent office will not approve your patent unless there is a compelling and significant reason to do so. A patent attorney makes an argument in your favor, giving you a higher likelihood of approval.
Patent lawyers can also help you if conflicts arise with your patent. If someone else steals your invention without the rights to it, we can help you to take legal action to recoup financial losses. Though patents are a government protection, it is up to you to enforce your patent. This means any violations must be handled by you and your legal team.
Patent Maintenance
When your patent is approved, your work is not over — at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years after your patent issue date, you must pay patent maintenance fees. This helps to ensure all patents are up to date and being used correctly. If these fees are not paid, your patent will expire at 4, 8, or 12 years respectively. If you have a design patent, it expires 15 years after the date it was issued. If you have a plant patent, it will expire 20 years after the date it was issued.
When you have an Orange County patent attorney on your side, they can help you to meet maintenance deadlines and keep your patent up to date. Without the help of an attorney, many people miss important deadlines for their patent, and it expires early. To avoid this and to capitalize on the full length of your patent, allow a patent attorney to help you meet deadlines and stay on top of your patent maintenance.
Contact The Myers Law Group
Our team at The Myers Law Group has been helping companies with their patents for many years. We understand the details of different kinds of patents, and we feel confident that we can protect your invention, and your business, from patent infringement.
No matter your situation, our team can help you with your intellectual property legal needs. Whether you need a trademark, copyright, trade secret, or patent, we have the experience to create an airtight document that will protect you and your business from the competition.
To learn more about how we can help with the patent process, contact The Myers Law Group online today.