Quick Answers to Intellectual Property Questions

Patents

• What is a Patent?
• What is a Patent Attorney?
• How can I become a Patent Attorney?
• What is a Patent Agent?
• How can I become a Patent Agent?
• What are Trade Secrets?
• Which should be used, a Patent or Trade Secret?
• Is there such a thing as a Provisional Patent?
• What is the difference between a Provisional Patent Application and a Non-provisional Patent Application (Regular Patent)?
• When should I file a Provisional Patent Application instead of a Non-Provisional Patent Application?
• What protection do I get by filing a Patent Application?
• How much does it cost to get a Patent?
• How long does a design patent last?
• How long does a utility patent last?
• Can I renew my patent?
• Can I file for a Patent myself?
• What is a patent search?
• What are the requirements of a patent application?
• What is a non-final office action?
• How long do I have to respond to a non-final office action?
• What is a final office action?
• Can a response be made to a final office action?
• How long do I have to respond to a final office action?
• What is an Advisory Action?
• Are drawings required for all patents?
• Can a non-U.S. citizen obtain a U.S. patent?
• What can I patent? What can’t I patent?

Foreign Patents

• What is the PCT?
• What is the Patent Cooperation Treaty?
• What is a foreign patent?

Trademarks

• What is a Trademark?
• What is a Service Mark?
• What is Trade Dress?
• What protection do I get by filing for a federal Trademark registration?
• Can I file for a Trademark myself?

Copyrights

• What is Copyright?

For more information on intellectual property, please visit Patent, Trademark, Copyright Information.

The content of this article is not intended to be, and does not constitute, legal advice and does not create attorney-client privilege. Consult the attorney of your choice before embarking on any legal matter or any document preparation/filing.

Dr. Thomas R. (Terry) Williamson III is a Patent Attorney practicing in Atlanta, Georgia.

C2008, Williamson Intellectual Property Law, LLC; all rights reserved, world-wide.