PATENT LAWYER | KANSAS CITY

There were more than 646,000 patent applications filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in 2020, while nearly 389,000 patents were granted. With so many inventions moving through the patent system, protecting a new idea requires careful planning and a clear understanding of the process. At Ream Law Firm, L.L.C., a patent lawyer in Kansas City can help inventors evaluate their options and take the appropriate steps toward protecting an invention. Innovation competition is fierce, making thoughtful patent protection an important part of turning an idea into a valuable asset.

Patenting intellectual property is vital if you want to prohibit others from benefiting disproportionately from your ideas. The process, however, can seem complex and the standards for success elusive. You can improve your chance of success tremendously by working with a patent attorney in Kansas City with a proven record for successful prosecution of patent applications.

Patent Experience You Can Rely On

For more than 25 years, Dale J. Ream has championed the work of innovators in Kansas City, Missouri, and throughout the metro area, including Jackson County, Missouri, and Johnson County, Kansas. Your ideas deserve protection. Dale J. Ream can help you achieve it.

• 25+ Years of Experience: Extensive experience helping inventors protect and develop their innovations.

• Registered Patent Attorney: Legal experience focused on patent protection and intellectual property matters.

• Technical Background: Experience in engineering and product development provides insight into the inventions behind patent applications.

• Product Development Experience: Background includes product design engineering, prototyping, licensing, and direct manufacturing.

• Proven Patent Results: More than 850 patents secured for clients over the past decade.

From developing the initial strategy to pursuing patent protection, Dale combines legal knowledge as an experienced patent lawyer in Kansas City with technical and product development experience to help innovators protect their ideas.

What Are Patents?

Patents are issued by the USPTO to grant the inventor the right to the property, typically for 20 years from the patent filing date. The patent protects the inventor from others who could benefit from the property by making, using, selling, importing, or exporting it.

There are three types of patents:

1. Utility patents are issued for a new and useful process, such as software, a machine, such as an engine or computer hardware, an article of manufacture, such as a screwdriver or candelabra, or a composition of matter, such as a new medication. A utility patent may also be issued for any new or useful improvement to anything in this category.

2. Design patents are issued for new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture, such as a new emoji, a new way to package products, or the curved design of the Coca-Cola bottle.

3. Plant patents are issued for inventions and discoveries in asexual reproduction of a distinct and new variety of plant, such as a new strain of wheat or a new cultivar of an African violet.

What Can I Patent?

To identify what can be patented may be best done by describing what cannot be patented. The terms “new” and “useful” in federal statute are key to what can be patented.

Ideas and suggestions in the abstract cannot be patented. The concept of a new software program cannot be patented; however, the developed program can be. The Coca-Cola bottle had to be manufactured before its design could be patented. A physics theory cannot be patented; however, the unique application of a theory can be. The theoretical concept of a better mousetrap cannot be patented, but the actual mousetrap can be. Furthermore, patented items must be useful. The invention of a new machine that does not actually work cannot be patented because it is not useful.

What Are the Benefits of Obtaining a Patent?

A patent prohibits those other than the inventor from profiting from their creation for a period of time. During that time, the inventor controls licensure of the patented items, and the sale and distribution of them.

A Patent Lawyer in Kansas City Explains the Process

The USPTO describes eight major steps in the patent process:

1. Determine the intellectual property protection you need

2. Determine whether your invention is patentable

3. Determine which type of patent you should apply for

4. Take steps to prepare what you will need to complete the application

5. Prepare and submit your application to the USPTO

6. Work with the USPTO examiner assigned to your application, which may include providing additional information

7. Obtain your patent if approved

8. Maintain your patent over time

How Can a Patent Attorney Help Me?

A patent attorney can make the difference between approval and denial of your patent application. Your patent attorney in Kansas City will coordinate with an engineer and draftsman to represent your invention in CAD and to write the application, including a detailed engineering and legal description.

Your attorney will guide you throughout the application and review process, helping you supplement and adjust as required. Your patent lawyer in Kansas City will also help you maintain your patent, so you do not have to worry about keeping it active. Furthermore, your attorney will legally enforce your patent should other businesses attempt to infringe on your proprietary and exclusive right to profit from it.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I contact a patent attorney in Kansas City?

It's helpful to seek legal guidance before publicly disclosing an invention, pursuing development partnerships, or investing heavily in production. Taking time to assess your invention early can help you make informed decisions about its protection. A patent attorney in Kansas City can help identify the appropriate approach to protecting your invention.

What does a patent lawyer in Kansas City help with?

A lawyer can assist with evaluating an invention, preparing patent applications, and addressing the legal requirements involved in pursuing patent protection. The right approach depends on the invention and the inventor's specific circumstances. Guidance from a lawyer can also help identify potential issues before they affect the application.

What types of inventions can be patented?

Patents may be available for inventions that meet requirements such as novelty, usefulness, and non-obviousness. The invention must also fall within the types of subject matter that patent law permits. Determining whether an invention meets these requirements requires consideration of its specific features and circumstances.

Can I patent an invention I have already shared publicly?

Public disclosure can affect patent rights and available filing options, depending on the circumstances and timing. It's important to discuss the disclosure with your patent lawyer in Kansas City before assuming that patent protection is no longer available.

How long does the patent process take?

The timeline varies depending on the invention, the application, and the examination process. Patent matters can involve multiple stages, including application preparation, examination, and responses to USPTO communications.