Patents

Buying patents? Accumulating a patent portfolio? Investing in patents and other intellectual property can be a great investment, but it can also be a complete waste of money.

You've invented something brilliant. Now what? Finding a good patent attorney should be at the top of your list. Here's how to find a patent attorney that is worth the investment.

Patenting an idea? Many people think that patents are for inventions, not just for ideas. The reality is that you can indeed patent an idea.

How much do patent attorneys cost? We discuss patent attorney hourly rates and fees.

Hiring a patent attorney? If so, it's best to know the right questions to ask the patent attorney before you start.

In analyzing an existing patent or in deciding whether to file a patent application for an invention, it is almost always necessary to consider prior art. But that's not all you need to know about prior art.

It'd be great if you could apply today for a patent and have it be granted tomorrow. But the reality is that getting a patent takes time.and patience.

Does somebody who has a patent pending actually have a patent? The use of patent-oriented phrases in marketing is quite common, but there's a fair bit of confusion on what the terms mean.

The idea or invention that you want to patent gives you a competitive advantage. But patent applications ultimately can be reviewed by members of the public. As such, companies should be very careful about what they disclose in their patent applications.

Knowledge of patent infringement fundamentals is important for entrepreneurs. You want to know your rights if you believe somebody is using your intellectual property.

The newspapers are full of patent infringement lawsuits these days. We've written a useful primer on patent infringement and litigation.

Quite frequently, patentable inventions or business ideas are the result of a team effort. When there are multiple inventors for a single patent application, these rules should be followed.

Wondering how to sell a patent? If you are a patent holder, there's a good chance that your patent is worth a lot of money to somebody out there. But how do you find a patent buyer?

Thinking about getting a patent on your own? Patent attorneys may not appreciate our telling you this, but the truth is you can get a U.S. patent on your idea or invention without using a lawyer.

Your company's patents are only as valuable as your ability to convert them into revenue. Here's what it takes to effectively manage a portfolio patent in today's economy.

Patent trolls can cost your company hundreds of thousands of dollars in litigation and licensing fees. We'll tell you how these intellectual property opportunists make a living and how you can defend your company from exploitation.