Tagged Questions

3
votes
3answers
124 views

provisional patent application

i submitted a provisional patent application from an foreign country @uspto.gov a few months ago , i researched and find out my idea worth a non provisional patent application (i made it public). is ...
2
votes
2answers
91 views

Guideline for self-filing a provisional patent application

I'm looking to file a provisional patent application in Canada and the US. From what I've been told, the process is not easily out-sourceable, and I'm on a shoestring startup budget. I would like to ...
4
votes
2answers
236 views

patent application filed without my name

I had a mobile application idea and shared my idea with my co-worker. Later, he suggested we file for a provisional patent together. We verbally agreed that each of us owns half of the patent rights ...
2
votes
5answers
227 views

How to make US Software Patent Application by UK-based startup?

We are a UK-based web start-up and as far as I know it is not possible to patent software in the UK or EU (IMHO a good thing). But we would like to protect ourselves in the US by making a provisional ...
1
vote
3answers
90 views

protect using a provisional patent

Suppose A filed a provisional application yesterday. Today, B files an application that is very similar to A's, and says 'her' idea is unique and patent pending. Will B get the benefits of her ...
1
vote
3answers
178 views

Patent on Social Network

I have an idea for a social network site. I know Facebook has many patents and I'm afraid of violating one of some of them. I'm not located in the US, main questions: Do you think I should talk with ...
2
votes
6answers
5k views

Is there a patent on Groupon.com?

I am thinking about starting a niche collective buying website in the US that is similar to Groupon.com Is Groupon patented? Is it legal to create a competitor website?
1
vote
3answers
143 views

A question(s) about IP in a 'Web 2.0' startup

I'm laying the groundwork for what might ostensibly be considered a 'Web 2.0' startup. While I think that I might have some protectable IP, I think that these are not necessarily fundamental to the ...