Author Archives: Tom

Assignee Patent Applicants and Foreign Filing

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Tom

The America Invents Act changed up a lot of the paperwork typically filed initially with an original patent application. One of the changes allowed “applicants,” or assignees, to directly file an application. Previously, an inventor would file the application, and … Continue reading →

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Trademark Likelihood of Confusion, in Triathlon Products

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Tom

Today, a basic primer on trademark infringement and an example of something that seems pretty clear. A registered trademark gives the owner the right to prevent anyone from using a mark in a way that is likely to cause confusion. … Continue reading →

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KFYI Interview

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Tom

I just finished an interview with KFYI journalist George Lin.  The interview is on the subject of the rise in patent filings in Arizona and the US.  It should air sometime next week.  I’ll post details when I know more.

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Angelo’s, In-N-Out Burger, and their Confusingly Similar Signs

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Tom

A few weekends ago I competed at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside in California. Oceanside has some restaurants I’ve not seen anywhere else before, in the country or even in California. One of those was a place called Angelo’s, which served everything … Continue reading →

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Patent Application Filings Increase Dramatically

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Tom

Inventors and attorneys rushed to file patent applications before March 16, 2013.  That date marked an important change in patent law, with applications filed before being subject to the old patent law, and applications filed after being subject to the … Continue reading →

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Evolution of the Micro Entity

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Tom

Today, as the last bit of the America Invents Act goes into effect, the Patent Office introduces a new fee structure.  Some fees are going up, some fees are going down (Patently-O has a nice article comparing new fees to … Continue reading →

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Information Disclosure Statements

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Tom

Information Disclosures Statements are used to notify the Patent Office of the art (inventions, publications, etc.) that may bear on the invention that the Applicant is trying to get patented. They should be used anytime a search is performed before … Continue reading →

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Project Salute helps Arizona Veterans this Weekend

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Tom

I will be participating at Project Salute this weekend.  If you know of a veteran that has had trouble navigating VA benefits, please encourage them to attend. The American Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Division will be hosting Project Salute this … Continue reading →

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Nuts and Bolts of International Preliminary Examination and the Demand Thereof

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Tom

International preliminary examination of an international application may be requested by filing a demand under Chapter II of the PCT to obtain a preliminary and non-binding opinion on the questions whether the claimed invention appears to be novel, to involve … Continue reading →

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Trademark Designations: TM / MC

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Tom

I saw a designation I’ve not seen before on some packaging at Costco this weekend.  We walked down the coffee aisle, and the Starbucks VIA coffee packets were branded with a NEVER BE WITHOUT GREAT COFFEE tagline followed by a … Continue reading →

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