Can You Add Another Person to Your Patent Application?

“If I filed for a provisional patent as the sole inventor, is it possible to add another inventor when filing for the nonprovisional patent if he makes a contribution to the invention?” You may add additional inventors to your non-provisional application.  The non-provisional must have at least one inventor in common with the provisional patent…

Another Invention Does Something Similar to Mine – What Should I Do?

Patent Laws: What to Do if Another Invention is Similar to Yours There are other inventions that do the same thing or provide the same result as my invention, but my invention does it differently. Is my invention still patentable? Rarely do patents protect a RESULT and the RESULT is seldom patentable for most field…

Public Disclosure – What Happens If Someone Files for a Patent Before You Do?

If an inventor disclosed his/her invention to his partners/university/employer, probably had some form of public disclosure, but did not have a provisional patent – what happens if a person with a similar invention had a provisional patent filed which could come after the first inventor’s disclosure? Which inventor gets the patent? The inventor entitled to…

How Is Licensed IP from a University Affected During an Acquisition

If a startup company uses an exclusive licensed IP from a university, what usually happens if the company wants to get acquired by a larger company? Do large companies usually avoid acquiring a company with a licensed patent? The question can be answered whether or not you have an exclusive license to the IP from a University,…

The 2 Most Common Rejections of a Patent Application

The 2 Most Common Rejections of a Patent Application Several months after your patent application has passed preliminary examination, the process of substantive examination will begin. During substantive patent examination, a patent examiner is assigned to review your application. The patent examiner will, among many other actions, assess your patent claims and perform a patent…

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Combination Pillow and Crash Helmet – Interesting Patents

After stuffing your face with every type of dip imaginable and screaming at the TV for 4 hours, the Monday after the Super Bowl can be a rather grueling day at work. Although originally #patented for airplane use in 1968, the ‘Pillow Crash Helmet’ is a super convenient way to grab some quick Z’s right…

How to Make a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign – Video

Here is a video link to Dun & Bradstreet’s hangout session from January 22, featuring Jeffrey Bekiares. This session features insights into what makes a successful crowdfunding campaign–including rewards and equity based. Jeff’s perspective focuses equity crowdfunding and crafting the right approach to a winning campaign. Equity crowdfunding is similar to rewards in many ways, in…

Entity Formation Step by Step Guide – New Georgia Business

How Do I Form My Entity in Georgia? The following are general, step-by-step instructions on properly forming your Company (Business Entity) in Georgia. If you have any questions through out the guide please feel free to contact SmartUp. Consult with an Attorney for Free REQUIRED ITEMS: 1.) Company Name. Decide on the Entity’s Name Consider the following…

Importing a Product to the US Market without Infringing Patent Rights

Foreign companies often ask me what their first step to bringing a product to the US market should entail on the legal end. My answer is simple: make sure that your product would not infringe the intellectual property rights of others. When it comes to marketing and branding, a trademark search may suffice. When it…

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