Modern Times Legal Patent Blog

Recent Posts from Modern Times Legal Patent Blog

• Benefits of US provisional patent applications

   digg it |  reddit |  delicious |  StumbleUpon In the United States, utility patent applications can be filed as either a "provsional" or a "non-provisional" application.  Non-provisional patent applications must meet many formal requirements and are typically subject to a lengthy examination…

• USPTO Director David Kappos's blog is now public!

   digg it |  reddit |  delicious |  StumbleUpon Good news: the blog of USPTO Director David Kappos is now public.  I had previously referenced his blog, when access was limited to United States Patent and Trademark Office employees, in earlier posts about changes at…

• Changes Coming to USPTO--Part VI: Rejection Mentality and Work Sharing

   digg it |  reddit |  delicious |  StumbleUpon Just_n_Examiner from the USPTO is doing a fine job keeping us posted with inside perspectives on changes at the USPTO under new Director David Kappos (left). In yesterday's post, the Examiner relayed some of the…

• Return visit to African Regional Intellectual Property Office (ARIPO)

   digg it |  reddit |  delicious |  StumbleUpon Sorry that this blog has remained quiet for the past couple weeks--I have been in Africa.Most American (or European, Japanese, Chinese, etc.) patent attorneys have never filed in Africa, though they should keep an…

• Changes coming to USPTO--Part V: new examiner count system

   digg it |  reddit |  delicious |  StumbleUpon Earlier this week, USPTO Director David Kappos unveiled a proposed new count system for measuring examiner production. This news may sound like esoteric trivia if you are not a patent practitioner; though, in fact, it represents…

• Remarkable story of African small-scale renewable energy independence

   digg it |  reddit |  delicious |  StumbleUpon Occasionally, you come across a story that makes your day and inspires you. The construction of power-generating windmills by Malawi's self-taught William Kamkwamba (starting at the age of 14) is beyond inspiring. I don't…

• "Cool" (and Delicious) Inventions

   digg it |  reddit |  delicious |  StumbleUpon While at my past firm, I prosecuted patents for a couple locally based companies where I could eat the inventions while researching the technology. Talk about a fun job! Dunkin' Donuts is one such company.…

• Dudas: Continuation Rules are Dead / Surprised by Drop in Patent Allowances

   digg it |  reddit |  delicious |  StumbleUpon Several recent posts on this patent blog have explored coming changes to the USPTO. This post, in part, looks back. The Patent Claims and Continuation Rules promulgated by the previous administration (limiting an applicant's right to…

• Costs of Obtaining and Maintaining a US Patent

   digg it |  reddit |  delicious |  StumbleUpon Patent applicants rightfully question what they can expect in terms of costs at various stages of the patenting process; and they deserve a clear, honest answer. I do my best to provide realistic forecasts…

• Prominent VC's on energy storage investments

   digg it |  reddit |  delicious |  StumbleUpon At MIT yesterday, venture capitalists Bob Metcalfe (left) and Hemant Tenaja as well as Peter Diamandis of the X PRIZE Foundation offered interesting insights on promoting the development of energy storage breakthroughs in America.Developing…