Patent FAQs for Innovators

How to find a good patent attorney

Why monitor patent applications?

Navigating International Patent Laws: A Guide for Global Innovators

Someone is suing me for infringement of their technology. What do I do now?

Someone is infringing my patent. What do I do now?

How to find a patent lawyer for my specific area of technology

Prototyping and Development Resources

Government Patent Offices Around the World

How to Monitor Patent Applications Effectively

Why Monitor Patent Applications?

What is The Cooperative Patent Classification?

How do I sell my patent?

Should I be worried if someone steals my idea before it is patented?

I just got a cease and desist letter from someone who claims that I'm infringing their technology. What do I do?

What is the difference between a patent and a trademark?

How long does a patent last?

Can I patent an idea without a prototype?

What are the requirements for patentability?

How much does it cost to file a patent?

What is the difference between a provisional and non-provisional patent application?

Can I file a patent internationally?

What is the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)?

How do I conduct a patent search?

What is prior art?

Can I patent software?

What is a design patent?

How long does it take to get a patent approved?

What is patent infringement?

Can I patent a business method?

What is a utility patent?

How do I enforce my patent rights?

What is a patent troll?

Can I patent a natural substance?

What is the difference between a patent and a trade secret?

How do I license my patent?

What is a patent pool?

Can I patent a gene sequence?

What is the America Invents Act?

How do I appeal a patent rejection?

What is a continuation patent application?

Can I patent a mathematical algorithm?

What is the role of a patent examiner?

How do I respond to a patent office action?

What is a patent family?

Can I patent a plant?

What is the difference between patentable subject matter in the US and Europe?

How do I file a international patent application?

What is a patent claim?

Can I patent a combination of known elements?

What is the patent box regime?

How do I value my patent?

What is patent landscaping?

Can I patent a color?

What is the first-to-file system?

How do I challenge someone else's patent?

What is a standard essential patent?

Can I patent a scent?

What is the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB)?

How do I monetize my patent?

What is a Markush claim in patents?

Can I patent a website?

What is the doctrine of equivalents in patent law?

How do I draft a patent specification?

What is a patent citation?

Can I patent a fictional character?

What is the Paris Convention for patents?

How do I conduct a freedom to operate search?

What is a patent thicket?

Can I patent a sound?

What is the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)?

How do I file a divisional patent application?

What is a Jepson claim in patents?

Can I patent a chemical compound?

What is the role of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in patents?

How do I file a continuation-in-part patent application?

What is patent exhaustion?

Can I patent a diagnostic method?

What is the difference between a patent agent and a patent attorney?

How do I file a reissue patent application?

What is a patent assignment?

Can I patent a new use for an existing drug?

What is the Patent Term Adjustment (PTA)?

How do I file a terminal disclaimer in a patent application?

What is a Markman hearing in patent litigation?

Can I patent a living organism?

What is the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)?

How do I file a request for continued examination (RCE)?

What is a dependent claim in a patent?

Can I patent a medical procedure?

What is the doctrine of patent misuse?

How do I file a supplemental examination request?

What is a patent family?

Can I patent a hybrid plant?

What is the difference between a narrow and broad patent claim?

How do I file an inter partes review (IPR) petition?

What is a patent disclaimer?

Can I patent a naturally occurring substance?

What is the Patent Term Extension (PTE)?

How do I file a ex parte reexamination request?

What is a patent pool?

Can I patent a perpetual motion machine?

What is the doctrine of inequitable conduct in patent law?

How do I file a patent interference proceeding?

What is a Beauregard claim in software patents?

Can I patent a law of nature?

What is the difference between inventorship and ownership in patents?

How do I file a covered business method (CBM) review?

What is a means-plus-function claim in patents?

Can I patent a method of medical treatment?

What is the doctrine of assignor estoppel in patent law?

How do I file a supplemental examination request?

What is a patent portfolio?

Can I patent a human gene?

What is the doctrine of patent exhaustion?

How do I file a post-grant review (PGR) petition?