West Chester Patent Attorneys & Lawyers

Patent Fees: What Are They?

Patent fees relate to the United States Patent and Trademark Office's (USPTO) standard costs for processing patent searches, patent examinations, provisional patent applications, utility patent applications, patent issue, patent maintenance, and appeals.

The patent office charges fees for every action it performs. A standard fee schedule shows the amount you owe. The complete schedule includes the costs for every type of patent and trademark filing. It also includes fees for maintenance, appeals, and other services.

Why Are Patent Office Fees Important?

The USPTO plays an

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What is a Patent Classification Search

A patent classification search is a type of patent search done by searching patent classification schemes in patent databases. Patent applications are classified into classification schemes based on their technical content. These patent applications are assigned classifying symbols or codes that make it easier to search for other patents.

By searching with classification symbols, you are able to do a more precise search of existing patents than if you just searched using keywords. Most systems separate patents into classes, known as the original references, and then smaller subclasses. All of these classes organize patents according to their function, composition, manufac

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What Is Design Patent Infringement?

Design patent infringement occurs when a company or person violates a design patent's terms. A design patent protects a manufactured product's ornamental features. To claim infringement, you must prove that an ordinary observer wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a patented object's design and an accused object's design when both designs are side by side.

High-Profile Cases of Design Patent Infringement

Design patents have existed as long as utility patents, patents that protect a product's unique functions. Courts have begun awarding the plaintiff damages by making the standard for proving that infringement on a p

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Patent Description: What Is It?

A patent description is a part of how you patent an idea that explains the invention, design, or plant you've developed and forms an essential part of your patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The patent description should include everything that makes your invention new. It must also include the information necessary for an average person to make your invention.

Together with the claims component, a patent description is known as the specification. A patent description includes the following sections:

• Title: This label explains your invention or design in a straightforward way.
• Cross-References

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Design Patent Drawings: What Are They?

Design patent drawings are illustrations of a manufactured object's design. They're used in design patent applications. They must include detailed information about any contours, shape, material texture, properties, and proportions. Design patent drawings must clearly show every feature visible during use. No part of the object's design should be left to the imagination. Drawings should include shading that indicates surface characteristics. The shaded areas can depict transparent, solid, and open areas.

Include Every Possible View

When creating design patent drawings, the inventor must include all views of the object's design. If you'

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