Patent Law in Denver, CO

Bad faith actors exist, much as we may not want to dwell on this fact. There are those out there who would step on your rights and take your intellectual property for their own financial gain. Your best defense against this is to file a patent to protect your work. And your best option for filing a patent may be to hire an experienced patent attorney in Denver.

What Is a Patent?

Patent law covers the many aspects of securing a patent. There are many legalities to understand, from copyrighting products and advertising to the Lanham Act. Basically, a patent is a legal protection you secure through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, (USPTO), under intellectual property laws. A patent guarantees the exclusive right to use your intellectual property. It also helps enforce that no other person can make or profit off of something for which you have a patent.

Denver is home to the Rocky Mountain Regional Office of the United States Patent and Trademark Organization. Inventors in Denver can schedule a one-on-one consultation with a patent specialist. You can also direct trademark-specific questions to the Trademark Assistance Center.

What Are the Types of Patents?

There are three different types of patents inventors can apply for. Each patent has stipulations and serves a different purpose.

• Utility Patent – This is the most common type of patent. It is for new machines, processes/functions, and chemicals.
• Design Patent – These patents are for securing a unique and new design of a manufactured item. Design patents protect from entities trying to capitalize on an invention by replicating and producing it.
• Plant Patent – These types of patents are specifically for the invention of new plant varieties. The process must include asexual reproduction, meaning by means other than seeds.

What Can You Patent?

In reality, not everything you create qualifies for patenting. There are only certain types of intellectual property that fall under patent protection. Other intellectual property rights cover different creations. Here is a look at the types of inventions you can patent.

• Process – Also referred to as a method, this is a new way of doing something. 
• Machine – This is any material thing or device that has some sort of output, whether functionality or physical object.
• Manufacture – This is the creation of a physical object.
• Composition of matter – This is a mixture of chemical or biological compounds to create something new.

You can apply for a patent for whichever new device, method, or compound you create by applying to the USPTO. Once they accept your patent application and approve it, you have exclusivity rights to the invention for the next 20 years. However, a design patent period lasts for 14 years.

Difference Between a Provisional and Non-Provisional Patent

Denver, CO inventors often file a provisional patent first, which is like a way of buying time to finalize an invention. Provisional patents last for a year, and the application process is simple. Once you file a provisional patent, you have exactly a year to convert it to a non-provisional patent. The latter is just another name for the formal and final patent.

How to Apply for a Patent In Denver CO

The process of applying for a patent in Denver, Colorado is complex and detailed. You must meet all the requirements and submit every required piece of documentation to secure your patent. You must file your application with the USPTO.

The Colorado Business Resource Book offers a list of all existing patents. In addition, the USPTO provides a breakdown by county of established patents in Denver. When filing for your patent you’ll have to do a fair amount of research. You’ll need to establish:

• If your invention qualifies for a patent
• If your invention has already been patented by another individual or group
• What type of patent is necessary

IPWatchdog reassures Denver inventors that, if they choose to meet with a patent attorney, their work will be kept confidential. Patent attorneys have to keep all information secret, according to the U.S. Patent Code.

When Should I Hire a Qualified Denver, Colorado Patent Lawyer?

There are multiple reasons to hire a patent attorney. If you want the assurance of having someone acting on your behalf, then Denver patent law lawyers can help you. He or she can assist with every step of the filing process and ensure that you include all the required information. Additionally, they may be able to guide you when it comes to navigating consumer laws, as well as help you avoid false advertising. This can prove especially valuable if you are trying to merge or transform your invention into a business.

The Denver Business Journal reports that there has been a marked uptick in the instances of patent infringement. This especially applies to design patent infringement. This has been concerning as we move toward having much more of our commerce online. Infringing on design patents allows bad-faith actors to sell “knock-off” merchandise. This type of business defrauds the consumer and deprives the patent owner of income.

There are times when the only way to enforce our patent rights is to seek the counsel of an experienced patent attorney in Denver. Your patent attorney can deliver relief from the infringement, as well as pursue any damages you may incur.

Work With an Experienced Local Patent Attorney In Denver, Colorado

A patent attorney provides a great service in assisting with securing and managing your patent. You should meet with a qualified Denver attorney to discuss how he or she can help you. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Colorado state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!