The patent tag has no wiki summary.
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1answer
37 views
If someone has a very similar name, can I get a trademark?
I am developing a web site with an idea that it would be a networking platform for small companies. I have registered the name (Let's call it www.merchandiize.com for now...), however I have ...
9
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3answers
154 views
UK Startup dealing with US Software Patents
As the owner of a UK software company, I'd like to finish a SaaS application I've had in development for a while and sell it as a monthly subscription service. The software could be sold worldwide.
I ...
3
votes
3answers
123 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 ...
4
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1answer
43 views
a problem on applying for patent
I'm on the process of applying for patent where I work.
I'm an engineer. I prepare for applying for patent with some idea.
Decisions are made that my idea could be a patent.
So company give a work to ...
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0answers
16 views
Need direction on steps for continuing a bluetooth smart device startup [closed]
I have created a prototype bluetooth smart device and corresponding iOS app that I would like to turn into a business.
My rough business plan at this point is to patent this device and then put the ...
12
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1answer
335 views
There's a troll in my space - now what?
I've spent the last 3 months full-time building an alpha version of a web app, and developing a business plan for it. The alpha version is ready to launch. Recently I've stumbled upon the fact that ...
3
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1answer
65 views
Research if patent holder is a troll
I've recently discovered a patent for a product that's in the field of the product I'm working on. The patent itself has zero direct resemblance to the product I'm working on, but there are "early ...
4
votes
9answers
9k views
Making money from Improving existing products
If I come up with an improvement to an existing product, how do I protect myself when sharing it, and get some of the revenues the idea generates?
There are many times when I look at an existing ...
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4answers
592 views
How Do I Prevent Somone From Stealing My Idea On KickStart
I have a great idea for a new product and I am thinking about launching it on Kickstarter, but I have one major problem. I am afraid that someone will steal my product and/or accuse me of stealing ...
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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 ...
2
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1answer
60 views
Does the internet count as prior art for fending of a patent troll?
We have been building and running a software company since 2009. Today I spoke to someone on the phone who claims to have a patent on the area we work in since 2010. I can find a few examples of where ...
2
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5answers
360 views
Can an innovative data visualization be patented or protected in some way?
I'm working on developing a product in the US with many potential competitors. None of the current products deals very well with analysis once the data is collected. I have several unexplored data ...
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2answers
138 views
How do I know if I am infringing on a Copyright or Patent?
Im looking to create a small start up at home making bicycle accessories but I have no clue if I would be infringing on any copyright and or patents in doing so.
How Do I know if my Company name is ...
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1answer
96 views
How to find out if a particular feature one is using is patented?
I have been searching around a lot on this topic, but did not find a single source of correct information. How can one find out if a particular feature one is using in one of its products is patented ...
1
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1answer
52 views
How can we leverage a good design idea in the apparel space?
Some friends and I have come up with a unique design idea in the apparel space. This is NOT our core competency, but we've presented the idea publicly, and gotten extremely positive responses.
I ...
3
votes
3answers
162 views
Avoiding patent litigation by only operating in Europe
Software patents are a hell hole in the US and we want to get out of it by operating (at least initially) in Europe. If a US company only operates in Europe (say this is a web app) would we still be ...
0
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1answer
17 views
Canadian patent law and “filing date” - what exactly is the benefit of having a “priority date”?
According to the Canadian patent info site, here, a patent application can claim a priority date of a previous patent, filed in Canada or in a country with an appropriate treaty, as long as the ...
3
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3answers
517 views
Inventing a simple medical device and getting a patent before talking with a medical device builder
My wife is a surgical nurse and noticed a particular difficulty that surgeons have been having with a specific procedure. She has a beautifully simple idea for a relatively simple device that makes ...
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2answers
92 views
What things an entrepreneur should get copyrighted before approaching VCs
What things can be copyrighted of a startup before approaching VCs? I have a very fast growing online venture for which I am going to approach VCs. But I want to make sure they can't use my idea and ...
4
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5answers
628 views
Should I Bypass a Patent Search at this Stage of Product Development?
I have a concept for a software product that I want to pursue. I've personally done an extensive Internet prior art search as well as searches for US and international patents searches and I found ...
0
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2answers
79 views
Patenting a website created with Ning.com
I would like to start a niche social media website but I have no knowledge of programming. I do have business knowledge but that doesn't help me in the actual creation of this website. I don't have ...
1
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2answers
125 views
Am I worrying too much about my IP?
I've spent the better part of the last several years developing a product/algorithm, and although I lack the time/funds to do an exhaustive patent search, I'm 99.99% certain that the algorithm is ...
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4answers
1k views
To what extent are algorithms patentable, especially in the US and Europe?
I'd like to use an algorithm that has been published. It's not a must have for me, but would be convenient. The creator might be difficult to contact, but that's obviously not a reason to do the ...
1
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1answer
59 views
Once I apply for a patent, when can I start looking for manufacturers and engineers?
I have a (hardware) technology idea that several companies might be interested to compete with once created. Once I apply for a patent, can I proceed to scout for manufacturers, hire engineers, etc. ...
2
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1answer
211 views
How Should I Deal With Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is a subject that has far reaching implications for your business. There are several different types of intellectual property that every business deals with. They include: ...
4
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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 ...
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3answers
138 views
How to publish a new technology without having patent?
I invented a new software based hardware technology which can solve many problems. I know getting a patent takes a very long time and is not an easy task.
Do I have to apply and wait to get a patent ...
2
votes
5answers
226 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 ...
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2answers
224 views
Going to be on national television to pitch my software - Need Advice
This Thursday I will be filming for a Canadian TV show where I will be pitching my software to 5 Canadian millionaires to invest in. The TV show won't air until September.
The software is ...
1
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1answer
49 views
One Ingredient of many in a Patent used on its own for another use
If a patent contains an ingredient in a product ,along with many other ingredients ,stated to be used for one application,would I get a patent on one of the ingredients for a use not stated and un ...
4
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2answers
299 views
Can a patent troll sue an overseas company?
Consider a common situation.
A patent troll owning US patents finds a fresh target, decides to threaten it, his lawyer looks up the company address and surprise! it's not in the US. Let's say it is ...
5
votes
3answers
842 views
Does the eBay patent prohibit other websites from doing simple online auctions?
Patent 7,702,540 (2-19-1999) was finally awarded to eBay after 11 years. It reads:
Computer-implement method and system for conducting auctions on the internet
Abstract
Methods and ...
3
votes
3answers
371 views
Where to publish innovative idea to create prior art status related the invention
A friend has an innovative idea about a service. To protect the idea from future patents, he has the idea to make the invention available to the public domain.
Is a blog a relevant place to describe ...
2
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1answer
87 views
Non-Dilutable Stock for patent purchase
I currently hold a patent and I'm looking to possibly sell it to a company for 5% stake.
I have interested investors in the idea, but need to move the patent into their company. The company's ...
1
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1answer
203 views
revive abandoned patent
My startup has a pending patent application that has recently been abandoned due to the inability to make the payment to respond to an office action. It costs thousands of dollars that we don't have ...
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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 ...
0
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1answer
149 views
Is there any place to post ideas and sell patents?
Everyone has their own ideas. Some patented ideas may be useful for company growth. Many companies look for innovative ideas. Is there any place to post patented ideas so that companies seeking ideas ...
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2answers
81 views
Offshore Patent
If someone in the US holds a very broad patent on a web based process in the US, is it possible to create an offshore company to circumvent the existing patent? What are the possible repercussions of ...
4
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2answers
550 views
How to protect yourself against the unethical business practices of a competitor like Nuance Communications?
I plan on working in the pattern recognition software industry. Some research into this industry led me to read about a company called “Nuance Communication.” According to this techcrunch article, ...
2
votes
1answer
174 views
Should I file patent under my startup's name or my own name
I am a founder of a startup company. I need to apply one or more patents for the software that I am developing and about to release. Now I wonder whether I should file it under my name or file under ...
0
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1answer
39 views
Can be a new PIM method patented in European Union?
I have constructed a new personal information management system. It allows to organize personal matters in a new way. Can I file a patent to European Union? I live in Germany.
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3answers
165 views
Patenting a Marketing Idea
Okay so i Know this question has been asked before but i feel like this is a little different. Can you patent a medium of marketing/advertising. For instance, billboards on the highway. Obviously ...
3
votes
2answers
358 views
Do I need to apply for a patent?
My friends, wife, and even a partner, are all urging me to at least apply for a patent to discourage others from attempting to implement similar and/or competing software.
Is this a worthwhile ...
2
votes
2answers
568 views
How do I protect my idea before launching my web-service?
I have a unique idea about a web-service.
How do I protect against duplicating my idea before launching?
I'm afraid I'd end up rivaling against massive number of competitors like Groupon does now.
I'm ...
1
vote
1answer
109 views
App developed in company time has potential to be sold commercially. Need advise
Situation
I work on the public sector and have developed a web app for internal use to handle a department's business process. The application has been a success according to its users. Some of the ...
4
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3answers
209 views
What are the particulars of registering a software patent?
Greetings all,
Situation
In the realm of software, much of what we do can be found elsewhere in other developers' softwares. I am concerned because while my web app is unique and novel in certain ...
3
votes
1answer
240 views
Dealing with Similar Patents
What are some guidelines or tests I can use to figure out if I have a chance at getting patent for an idea when there are similar, but not identical, patents out there?
I don't know how to best ...
2
votes
1answer
99 views
Violating US patents by having servers or domain name registered in the US
Following this question:
What to do before offering e-services from EU to US?
I have another one:
A concern has been raised that if you have your servers in the US you may infringe a US patent. Is ...
2
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3answers
193 views
How can I find out if a US company has a patent in the UK?
I am trying to set up a leisure centre in the Uk with an idea that is from the US. They have a US patent and say that they have a UK patent pending.
1.How can I find out if they do have a patent ...
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2answers
296 views
Can prior art invalidate existing patents?
Let's imagine a patent has been issued by the USPTO in 2008. However, in 2010, someone discovers the invention has already been mentioned in a book in 2005. For the sake of the argument, let's assume ...
