On July 17, 2024, the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) launched a new electronic system and portal, MyCIPO Patents, as part of its Next Generation Patents initiative. The launch has been fraught with difficulties,...more
When applying for a patent application, certain entities are entitled to reduced USPTO filing fees. Applicants who qualify for small entity status can reduce many USPTO fees by 60%. Applicants who are micro entities can...more
Most companies recognize patent portfolios as valuable business assets. They protect the investments made in research and development, and the efforts to bring products to market. As businesses evolve, and that cycle has only...more
Dear Patenticity, My start-up has a small portfolio of about a dozen patents covering our core technology. One of those patents has the 11.5 year maintenance fee coming due in the next six months, but this particular...more
What is a utility patent? The definition of a utility patent is a patent that covers “any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof.”...more
CHRISTY, INC. v. UNITED STATES - Before LOURIE, REYNA, and HUGHES. Appeal from the Court of Federal Claims. Summary: The government’s refusal to refund patent issue and maintenance fees after patent claims are canceled...more
What are patent maintenance fees? Patent maintenance fees are mandatory fees that must be paid to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) at certain time points after a patent issues in order to keep a utility...more
As an Applicant for a patent, your information becomes public when the application publishes and once again when the patent itself issues. Unfortunately, there are several companies that mine this information for their own...more
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) allows for the revival of abandoned applications, acceptance of delayed maintenance fee payments, and acceptance of delayed priority or benefit claims by the filing of a...more
Recently, the government of Canada published the final version of the new Patent Rules (SOR/2019-251) in Canada Gazette, Part II on July 10, 2019. The new Rules and associated amendments to the Patent Act will come into force...more
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has recently published increases in maintenance fees that are effective on March 19, 2013. Careful attention to your maintenance fee schedule may provide a savings for...more