INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWYER
KANSAS CITY

Dale Ream serves as a mentor for inventors across the United States, with more than 25 years of product development experience, including product design engineering, prototyping, patenting, licensing, and direct manufacturing. As an intellectual property lawyer in Kansas City, he offers clients a rare combination of legal and technical knowledge. Ream Law Firm, L.L.C., offers solid guidance from start to finish on all facets of intellectual property matters, as well as how intellectual property relates to everything else that can make your invention a reality.

The Intellectual Property Protection You Need from a Lawyer You Can Trust

Dale Ream brings more than 25 years of product development experience to intellectual property matters, including product design engineering, prototyping, patenting, licensing, and direct manufacturing. His combination of legal knowledge and hands-on technical experience gives inventors a practical perspective on protecting and developing their ideas.

• 25+ Years of Product Development Experience: Extensive experience spanning engineering, prototyping, patenting, licensing, and manufacturing.

• Registered Patent Attorney: Legal experience focused on patents and broader intellectual property matters.

• Technical Background: Engineering and product development knowledge helps bridge the gap between an invention and its legal protection.

• End-to-End Perspective: Guidance can address intellectual property protection alongside the practical considerations involved in bringing an invention to reality.

Dale makes certain he is accessible to clients no matter how large or small. This personal approach to intellectual property law is just one thing that sets him apart from other attorneys.

What Are the Three Intellectual Property Basics?

As an independent inventor, the intellectual property basics you should know about meeting with an intellectual property lawyer in Kansas City are:

Patents

The U.S. Constitution provides that Congress has the power to protect the discoveries of inventors. George Washington enacted the first patent statute on April 10, 1790, which provided patent protection for “any useful art, manufacture, engine, machine, device, or any improvement thereon not before known or used.” Although patent statutes have been modified many times, the present patent system is entirely governed by federal law.

A patent is a right granted by federal law describing an invention that did not exist before conception by the inventor. It gives the inventor a limited monopoly right to exclude others from making, using, importing, selling, or offering to sell the claimed invention. A patent may be granted for inventions that are considered new, useful, and non-obvious.

There are many types of patents, each with its own advantages and usefulness. A patent may be provisional, nonprovisional, utility, design, plant, foreign or domestic. Ream Law Firm, L.L.C. is dedicated to helping inventors determine what type of patent is appropriate for their invention and circumstances and is experienced in all types.

Trademarks

A trademark provides an indication of the source or origin of goods or services and distinguishes the goods or services from those of others. The proper use of trademarks is a major factor in branding or establishing a brand name. Trademark laws are designed to serve two major purposes:

• To protect the public by reducing or eliminating confusion between goods or services, enabling consumers to obtain the products they know and want.

• To protect the owner’s investment of time, energy, and money by preventing misappropriation of that investment.

Copyrights

A copyright is a form of intellectual property protection based on Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. Copyright protection is founded on two seemingly conflicting purposes: to protect an author’s creativity and expression by granting certain exclusionary rights, while seeking to encourage authors to allow public access to their works.

As with patent law, copyrights seek to balance these competing interests by providing certain exclusive rights to authors for a limited time. Copyright protection exists in original works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression from which they can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device.

An Intellectual Property Lawyer in Kansas City Committed to Protecting Your Work

The nationwide patent law and inventor advocacy practice at Ream Law Firm, L.L.C., is committed to the legal protection of the intellectual property of its clients in Kansas, the Midwest, and across the U.S.

For complete patent legal services, including search and application, advice from a copyright and trademark lawyer, licensing and commercialization - and much more - look to Ream Law Firm, L.L.C., for the legal leadership and moral support that independent inventors and their unique ideas deserve throughout the U.S.

If you have questions about patents, trademarks, copyrights, or any phase of the intellectual property legal process, you can find out more about how Ream Law Firm, L.L.C., has helped so many innovative people just like you. To arrange your free initial consultation from wherever you are in the U.S., call or get in touch with the firm today!

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I contact an intellectual property lawyer in Kansas City?

It is helpful to seek legal guidance early, before sharing an invention publicly, pursuing a patent, or investing heavily in development. An intellectual property lawyer in Kansas City can help you understand your options and identify potential intellectual property concerns. Getting advice early can also help you make informed decisions before taking steps that could affect your rights. Early planning may also help you avoid preventable issues with ownership, disclosure, or protection.

What types of intellectual property can I protect?

Intellectual property protection can cover inventions, brand identifiers, and original creative works through patents, trademarks, and copyrights. The appropriate form of protection depends on what you have created and how you plan to use it. Understanding those distinctions can help you determine which protections may apply to your work. We can help you assess your particular circumstances and determine which type of protection may be appropriate.

Can I protect an invention before bringing it to market?

Yes. Taking appropriate steps before publicly disclosing or commercialising an invention can help protect your rights. We can discuss available patent strategies based on the invention and your development plans. Planning can be particularly important before presenting an invention to potential partners or customers.

How can I protect my brand?

Trademarks can help protect names, logos, and other identifiers associated with your goods or services. We can help you understand the considerations involved in establishing and protecting your brand. Proper protection can help distinguish your goods or services from those offered by others.

What should I do if someone uses my intellectual property without permission?

If you believe someone has used your protected work or invention without authorisation, we can review the circumstances and discuss potential legal options. Acting promptly can help you better understand your rights and available remedies. The appropriate response will depend on the type of intellectual property involved and the circumstances of the unauthorized use.