Los Angeles Patent Lawyer

Los Angeles Patent Attorney

When you come up with an important idea, it is crucial that you protect your rights to it. Having someone else claim to come up with your own inventions and then profit off of them can be one of the most frustrating things to witness. If this has happened to you, or if you want to apply for a patent to protect an invention, you should swiftly get in touch with a dedicated patent attorney to protect your rights.

The team at The Myers Law Group has over 90 years of experience in cases involving patents and intellectual property law, and they want to help you in your patent creation or dispute.

If you have created an invention like a product, machine, or process, you might want to protect your intellectual rights with a patent. This is a legal document that grants you exclusive rights to what you invented. If you get a patent, you are legally protecting your invention for a set period of time. The patent will prevent other people from:

• Manufacturing what you have the patent for
• Selling what you have the patent for
• Using what you have the patent for without a license to do so
• Importing what your patent is for

There are two primary types of patents you can consider getting. They differ based on the type of invention as well as the cost:

• Utility Patents: If you get a utility patent, you are protecting innovations involving new processes. For example, if you invent a new type of machinery or technology, you should get a utility patent. Typically, obtaining one of these can cost you around $3,000.
  • Provisional patents: If you qualify for a utility patent, you will either apply for a utility patent straightaway, or you will apply for a provisional patent, which is a cheaper informal option that will give you a year of protection before you get a utility patent. While a utility patent can make you pull thousands out of your wallet, a provisional patent will cost you just about $250.
• Design Patents: If you have created an aesthetic design for an article, you should get a design patent. For example, if you created an original furniture design, you would apply for this type of patent. Design patents are a bit cheaper than the utility patent and will usually cost about $1,050.

Any person who has come up with an invention can apply for a patent. That said, the following groups of people often use patents to protect the ideas they have worked hard to come up with:

• Companies or Corporations: If you run a company of any type, from a startup to a major corporation, you should consider using patents to protect your inventions. Getting patents can help prevent your competition from getting stronger than you, and they can be a priceless asset for you when negotiating and making big deals like acquisitions or mergers.
• Entrepreneurs: Individual entrepreneurs often create new products and want to ensure that no one tries to profit from what they came up with. If you’re an individual entrepreneur, you could benefit from a patent.
• Academic Institutions: At institutions like universities, there are a lot of researchers hard at work. They often want to protect the results of their research by applying for patents.
• Governments: Often, government agencies secure patents for the developments they make while working on technological advancement and economic growth.

If you want to get a patent for an invention in Los Angeles, CA, you need to ask yourself a few questions first. For example:

• Am I sure that my invention is completely new? Am I certain that it has never existed before anywhere?
• Am I sure that this invention serves a purpose? Is it a useful creation, and can I prove that?
• Does this invention demonstrate a skill to invent, or is it an obvious invention to compete with people in this field?

In order for your application to be successful, you will need to make sure your invention is brand new and no one else out there has the rights to this thing already. You will also need to make sure that your invention is useful in some way and that it is not something that people could easily think up.

The most effective way to boost your chances of getting a patent is to hire a Los Angeles Patent Attorney to help you with your case. You will have to go through all of the following lengthy stages regardless, but an attorney can help ensure that you complete all the necessary steps and minimize the risk of your application getting denied.

Keep in mind that it usually takes at least one calendar year for an application for a patent to be processed, so patience is key. Working with a lawyer can also help you keep this process as short as possible because they will make sure you do not make any errors that delay the process.

• Step 1: Figure Out Which Type You Need: After you have completed your invention, you need to determine what type of patent you will apply for. Make sure you understand the process and fees required for each one.
• Step 2: Confirm That Your Idea Is Original: You need to conduct a search for existing patents to make sure that you qualify for one. You can do this on your own by using specific keywords. Your lawyer can help you do this effectively and make sure you cover all of your bases.
• Step 3: Prepare the Application: The patent application is far from simple, and you will need to spend ample time preparing your documents. You will need to explain what you are requesting the patent for, if they are applicable to your situation, and any relevant legal documentation. Your patent attorney can help ensure that you have all of the parts of the application you need and that you have completed them properly.
• Step 4: File the Application: If you want to file an application for a patent, you need to send it to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). You can usually file the application and pay the application fees online.
• Step 5: Patent Prosecution: People at the USPTO will then examine your application for a patent in a process called patent prosecution. They will contact you with inquiries and closely examine all of the information you submitted to make sure you are eligible to get a patent for this invention. Be prepared to handle all of this contact yourself if you do not have a lawyer. You could also hire a Los Angeles Patent attorney and rely on them to smoothly facilitate communication with the USPTO, boosting your credibility and taking the stress off your shoulders in this process.
• Step 6: Grant or Denial of Patent: After many months of deliberation and back-and-forth communication, you will finally receive an answer from the USPTO. If your patent was approved, congratulations! You will get an official notice and have to pay some fees. Make sure to stay up to date on the expiration period, and if anyone infringes on your patent, you will need to take legal action.

Patents are not renewable, and they only exist for a limited amount of time. Make sure you understand the time length of your patent, as after the day it expires, your invention will enter the public domain, and other people will be allowed to make your product without your permission.

Some lawyers work in the field of intellectual property (IP), the rights associated with what people invent. Lots of concepts fall under the field of IP, such as trademarks for brands, copyrights, and patents. The earlier you speak with a legal professional in the process of developing a new invention, the better your chances of protecting your intellectual property.

A patent lawyer is an attorney who helps people with all aspects of getting a patent and potential disputes related to patents. Trying to figure out what patent you should get and how to apply for it and receive it can be very overwhelming. Working with a professional who knows the ins and outs of the process can make all the difference. Our team at The Myers Law Group can review all of the details of your case and advise you on what and how to apply for a patent.

Obtaining a patent can be incredibly difficult, and you will need to work through several legal and technical steps to get the rights you deserve. The right intellectual property lawyer can help you with all of this so you have full control over your intellectual property. Your lawyer can also help defend your rights if someone is infringing on a patent you already have.

You should contact a patent lawyer if you need help with any of the following complex legal processes:

• Search for Existing Patents: If you are considering applying for a patent but are not sure if your invention already exists or not, you can discuss your work with an IP lawyer. Your attorney has the resources and ability to dive into existing patents and make sure that your idea is original. This will help ensure that you do not waste your time applying for a patent, going through the prosecution process, and getting rejected because a patent for your creation already exists.
• Draft Patent Applications: Applying to get a patent can be tricky and involves a lot of paperwork. Consulting a patent lawyer who can walk you through the application procedures can help streamline this process and ensure a positive outcome. From drafting the application to submitting it, your lawyer will be there every step of the way.
• Assist With Patent Prosecution: Once you file your application, you will need to go through a long, technical process called patent prosecution before you are actually granted a patent. The prosecution period will involve a lot of back and forth with the patent office. This can take a long time because other patents will be reviewed to make sure nothing like your invention exists yet. You will need to go into detail explaining your invention and answer the office’s inquiries about what you created.
• Handle Patent Enforcement and Litigation: If you think that another person has infringed upon your patent, you will need to take legal action in order to enforce the patent and protect your rights. An experienced Los Angeles patent attorney can handle this whole process for you. Without the right attorney, you might not be able to enforce the patent.

Unfortunately, it is quite common for people to invent a product without researching if there is a patent for it. If this happens, someone might invent something that you have exclusive rights to. You will need an experienced, dedicated patent attorney to help you enforce your patent in this situation and handle the legal battle that is going to ensue. In many cases, these disputes end up going to the courtroom, where you will want a professional to handle the defense of your intellectual property.

Whether someone is making what you have the rights to, selling it for a profit, or both, it is against the law for them to do so, and you should stand up against the action. Enforcing your patent in this situation is also important for protecting your work and your intellect. Don’t let someone else get away with this, and reach out to a legal professional for help today.

At The Myers Law Group, we know how important it is to protect your intellectual property. We have over three decades of experience focusing on intellectual property throughout Southern California and handle all sides of the topic.

We are dedicated to helping you protect what’s yours. Whether you need help navigating patent prosecution or need support in a tricky conflict about patent infringement, we have got you covered. We are here to provide informed advice about the complex world of patents and related intellectual property needs. If you want, we can also give you guidance and support with trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing your IP, and more.

Do not hesitate any longer— reach out to our office today to find out more information. We speak English and Spanish and invite you to contact us by phone or email.

Se habla español.