False patent marking has become a hot topic recently as case law around patent marking on products and recent legal developments have created a lucrative opportunity with very low barriers to entry. More than 100 cases have been filed so far in 2010 and new cases are being filed daily. ipCG has some suggestions on how your company might respond.
Design patents are a form of IP that should be considered by all industries as their strategic use, in conjunction with utility patents and other forms of IP, can strengthen and enhance the value of a company's IP portfolio and brand.
Good preparation for a patent search can lead to successful and effective patent analysis, whereas the lack of preparation can lead to the disappointed stakeholders, missed IP opportunities, or wasted time.
Small companies can face large financial hurdles on the way to securing intellectual property (IP) protection, particularly with patents. Accumulated patent lifecycle costs can exceed $125,000 for one US & one PCT filing. This cost may include prior art searching, patent drafting, patent prosecution, and maintenance fees.