by Michael S. Moore
Patently-O, a leading patent law blog written by Professor Dennis Crouch from the University of Missouri, has recently posted the results of two studies regarding design patents. Taken together, it appears that design patents are becoming both easier and quicker to obtain than ever before.
A design patent protects the ornamental [...]
Archive for the 'Patents' Category
Inventors have Options: What are the types of patents to consider?
Posted in Corporate and Business, Creativity and Innovation, Patents on Nov 18th, 2009
By Mike Moore
Associate Attorney at Swider Medeiros Haver, LLP
When a business is evaluating the decision of whether or not to file a patent application, common knowledge dictates that time and money is invested in procuring the patent. Businesses may be hesitant to file the application because they may be concerned that by the time [...]
How Portland, Oregon Measures Up: Innovation Trends Among Cities of the Western United States of America
Posted in Corporate and Business, Creativity and Innovation, Media & Entertainment, Metrics, Patents, Press Releases on Jun 22nd, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Martin F. Medeiros
Swider Medeiros Haver LLP
1420 American Bank Building
621 SW Morrison Street
Portland, Oregon 97205
Voice: 503-226-8122
Fax: 503-295-2737
mmedeiros@smhllaw.com
Swider Medeiros Haver LLP Releases Analysis of Innovation Trends Among Cities of the Western United States of America. General trends can be seen by analyzing and comparing the number of patents issued to inventors or assignees in several [...]
Supreme Court Grants Certiorari for In re Bilski
Posted in Corporate and Business, Creativity and Innovation, E-Commerce, Patents, Software on Jun 19th, 2009
by Michael Moore
The October, 2008, case In re Bilski (”Bilski”) involved a determination of whether claims directed towards a method of hedging risks in commodities trading were patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 101. The Federal Circuit, sitting en banc, decided on October 30, 2008 that those claims were not patentable. (In re Bilski, [...]
What are the alternatives to patenting my ideas? Strategies for Intellectual Property Protection in a Down Economy
Posted in Patents on Oct 22nd, 2008
by Karen Dana Oster
Guest Author by Invitation of Swider Medeiros Haver LLP
Though a patent may be the ultimate form of intellectual property (IP) protection, it is not the only form of protection. Other forms of IP protection may be available to protect your idea or invention. [...]
How to Handle Patent Trolls, Trademark Gremlins and Copyright Ogres
Posted in Copyright, Patents, Software, Trademark / Branding on Jul 31st, 2008
by Martin Medeiros
You read your morning mail. You notice a letter with the operative words “cease and desist,” “infringement,” or perhaps the more affable “invitation to license.” You think a “troll” has targeted you.
The pejorative term “patent troll” is often used to describe the sender of the type of letter described above. However, the term [...]
Intellectual Property Metrics for the Year Ending 2007
Posted in Copyright, Creativity and Innovation, Metrics, Patents, Trademark / Branding on Mar 18th, 2008
Our annual intellectual property metrics show dramatic increases in some types of intellectual property grants and increasing litigation for copyright. Click here to look at all the data graphs.