Patent Lawyer Bergen County NJ

In the realm of innovation, protecting your intellectual property is paramount to fostering creativity, promoting progress, and safeguarding your ideas from unauthorized use. At Kaplan Law Practice, LLC, nestled in the heart of Bergen County, NJ, we understand the significance of patents as powerful tools that grant exclusive rights to inventors and creators. Our accomplished legal team specializes in guiding you through the intricacies of patent law, ensuring your innovations are shielded and your ideas are brought to life.

If you or your business has invented a new product, product design, or even a species of plant, it’s important to speak with an experienced patent lawyer Bergen County, NJ residents trust and to do so as soon as possible. As soon as an invention turns from a vision into reality, it needs to be legally protected. Failing to protect your invention now could lead others to infringe upon your intellectual property rights. Additionally, failing to protect your invention now could leave you vulnerable to personal liability in the event that someone else insists that your invention is actually their intellectual property.

A patent is a legal grant issued by a government authority, which confers exclusive rights to an inventor or assignee for a specified period. This exclusive right enables the patent holder to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing the patented invention without permission. Patents serve as incentives for innovation by allowing inventors to recoup their investments and efforts while contributing to the advancement of technology and society.

At Kaplan Law Practice, LLC, we recognize that each invention is a unique embodiment of creativity, dedication, and expertise. Our approach to patent law starts with a comprehensive understanding of your innovation. We collaborate closely with you to unravel the intricacies of your invention, assess its potential impact, and strategize the best approach to secure your intellectual property rights.

Types of Patents:

1. Utility Patents: These patents cover new and useful processes, machines, manufactured items, and compositions of matter. Utility patents protect the functionality of inventions.
2. Design Patents: Design patents safeguard the unique ornamental appearance of an object. They are relevant to the visual aspects, rather than the functional attributes, of an invention.
3. Plant Patents: Plant patents are granted for the invention and asexual reproduction of new and distinct plant varieties.

Our Services:

1. Patent Search and Analysis: Our experienced team conducts thorough searches to assess the patentability of your invention, ensuring it meets the necessary criteria for patent protection.
2. Drafting and Filing: We skillfully draft patent applications that comprehensively describe your invention, highlighting its uniqueness and innovative features. We then navigate the complex filing process to ensure your application is submitted accurately and in a timely manner.
3. Prosecution and Litigation: Our attorneys offer strong representation throughout the prosecution of your patent application and, if necessary, provide assertive litigation services to defend your patent rights.
4. Portfolio Management: For businesses and inventors with multiple innovations, we assist in managing and maintaining a robust patent portfolio that aligns with your strategic goals.

Why Choose Kaplan Law Practice, LLC:

• Experience: Our legal team possesses in-depth knowledge of patent law, bolstered by years of successful engagements in securing patents across various industries.
• Tailored Strategies: We develop strategies that are tailored to your invention’s unique characteristics and your long-term aspirations.
• Comprehensive Support: From inception to enforcement, we provide full-spectrum patent services, ensuring your intellectual property is protected at every stage.

At Kaplan Law Practice, LLC, we believe that patents not only protect your intellectual property but also lay the groundwork for a brighter future driven by innovation. Our committed team is dedicated to guiding you through the patent process, ensuring your inventions receive the recognition and protection they deserve. Contact us today to embark on a journey of securing your innovation, contributing to progress, and leaving a lasting mark on the world. Your ideas are our priority.

The experienced New Jersey legal team at Kaplan Law Practice, LLC takes great pride in assisting both individual inventors and innovative businesses with realizing and enforcing their intellectual property rights. Once we learn more about your invention in a confidential, risk-free consultation setting, our Bergen County, NJ patent lawyer team will begin discussing how to protect your intellectual property rights most efficiently and effectively. If you’ve invented a product design, our only option is to move forward with completing a non-provisional patent application form as quickly as we possibly can. However, if you’ve invented a product, machine, process, or species of plant, we will likely advise that you allow us to file a provisional patent application in advance of (and in addition to) filing your non-provisional patent application.

Invent, Patent and Protect: What You Need To Know Before Filing for a Patent

Did you know that Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, had stiff competition? Another inventor filed a patent for the same device on the same day and it was to be contested in an interference hearing. Thanks to the expertise of his patent lawyers, however, Mr. Bell won his patent and is remembered for his invention to this day. Filing for patents has always been a highly competitive and time-consuming process, so it is vital to know what you need before you start. Here are two tips to follow before filing for a patent:

1. Determine if It Is Patentable

Not every invention can be patented; certain requirements must be met. Kaplan Law Practice, LLC, can help determine if you are eligible for a patent. First, to receive a patent, the invention must be productive. For example, while they may be a fun trinket, those little box toys with one button that when pressed causes the toy to push it again and turn itself off are not very useful and thus not eligible for a patent.

Secondly, your invention must be unique. If your invention aligns too closely with an already patented invention, you may not receive a patent.

Lastly, the invention cannot be overly obvious. If any average person in your field may use this solution on a day-to-day basis, it is not unique and inventive enough to receive a patent. Before applying for a patent be sure to consult with a patent lawyer in Bergen County, NJ, to ensure all criteria are met.

2. Establish What Kind of Patent You Need

Because of the myriad types of inventions that can be patented in the United States, there are several different types of patents you may apply for, and you must select the correct one. When navigating this process, conferring with a patent lawyer in Bergen County, NJ. Kaplan Law Practice, LLC, can drastically cut down on time spent scrutinizing the fine print on which type of patent you need to file.

There are three main categories of patents, including design, utility and plant. Design patents cover aesthetic components of an invention. Utility patents protect the functionality of the invention and also cover any software inventions.

 Lastly, there are plant patents — and yes, that means plant as in apple tree. Plant patents protect any key developments in the plant’s growth. For example, if a biologist figured out how to make an apple tree produce more apples with higher resistance to pests and disease, that’s a feature to patent.

The expertise of your patent lawyer in Bergen County, NJ, can expedite this process and ensure you apply for the right patent the first time.

4 Important Questions To Ask Before Hiring a Patent Lawyer

For any inventor or creator, the products of their intensive work and experimentation are precious to them. To protect them you will want to hire an excellent patent lawyer in Bergen County, NJ. It’s important that you find the right patent law firm to work with you, but you might not know how to determine which firm might be best. Kaplan Law Practice recommends asking the following four questions to help zero in on the best option for you and your needs.

1. What Is Your Specialty?

You might think that patent law is specialized enough but actually many attorneys choose to focus on one particular side of patent law. There are lawyers who are more experienced or knowledgeable in patent litigation and others who focus more on patent prosecution. Litigation is when there is a dispute over patent rights and prosecution helps a client obtain their patent. Make sure that any patent lawyer in Bergen County, NJ that you take the time to interview has plenty of experience the type that you and your company require.

2. What Is Your Technical Experience?

Patent lawyers are actually required to have some technical experience before they can pass the patent bar exam. That usually means that any patent attorney usually has a technical degree that would give them the necessary experience for patent law. Find out just what type of technical degree your potential lawyer has obtained. The best-case scenario would be to hire an attorney who has studied the field your product is related to so that they can better understand your needs.

3. Who Will I Work With Directly?

Another critical question is to know just who you will be working with. Depending on how large the law firm is that could be any number of attorneys or administrators. Make sure you are meeting the actual person or team you will contact directly. It's important that you connect well so that communication can flow easily between you and your patent lawyer in Bergen County, NJ.

4. How Much Will Your Services Cost?

Last but not least you want to get a clear scope of the cost for any lawyer's services. Kaplan Law Practice recommends asking how you will be charged for different services like filings or questions asked over the phone. An attorney might not be able to outline every cost that might be associated with your case, but they should be able to outline how much they charge for specific services that will likely be rendered through the course of your patent filing.

Patent Infographic

Securing Provisional vs. Non-Provisional Patent Protection

The only way to secure a patent is by having a non-provisional patent application approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The non-provisional patent application process allows the USPTO to evaluate the novelty of your invention. The date upon which the USPTO receives your non-provisional patent application is very consequential, as the novelty of your invention will be judged against your non-provisional patent application’s filing date. This is where filing a provisional patent application in advance of (and in addition to) filing your non-provisional patent application can give you an edge in securing your patent. If you file a provisional patent application for your invention within 365 days before you file your non-provisional patent application, the latter will benefit from the provisional patent application’s submission date. This means that your invention will be safeguarded against so-called prior art and other inventors seeking to protect similar work during the period in which your non-provisional patent application is being prepared. The process of preparing a non-provisional patent application is time-intensive, so submitting a provisional patent application can allow you to move through that process without cutting corners in the interest of getting your non-provisional patent application to the USPTO as soon as possible.

Please note that design patents aren’t eligible for the provisional patent application process, which is why we wouldn’t recommend that this step be taken in the event that you are trying to patent the design of a product or machine.

Bergen County Patent Law FAQs

What is a patent, and why do I need one?

A patent is a legal grant that provides inventors with exclusive rights to their inventions. It allows you to prevent others from making, using, selling, or importing your invention without permission. Having a patent protects your innovative ideas and gives you the opportunity to capitalize on your efforts by granting you a competitive edge in the market.

What types of inventions can be patented?

Patents can be obtained for various types of inventions, including processes, machines, manufactured items, compositions of matter, and even unique plant varieties. Design patents also protect the ornamental appearance of an object. If you have a novel and non-obvious invention that falls within these categories, you may be eligible for patent protection.

How do I know if my invention is eligible for a patent?

Determining patent eligibility involves assessing whether your invention is novel, non-obvious, and useful. Our experienced patent attorneys can conduct thorough searches and analyses to evaluate the patentability of your invention, providing you with a clear understanding of your options and potential outcomes.

What is the process of obtaining a patent?

The patent process typically involves conducting a patent search, drafting a comprehensive patent application, and filing it with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Once filed, the application undergoes examination, during which the USPTO reviews the invention’s patentability. If approved, a patent is granted, giving you exclusive rights to your invention.

How can a patent attorney assist me in this process?

A skilled patent attorney plays a crucial role in guiding you through the complexities of patent law. They can help you:

• Conduct thorough patent searches to assess the uniqueness of your invention.
• Draft a well-structured and detailed patent application that meets legal requirements.
• Navigate the intricacies of the patent filing process and ensure accurate submission.
• Respond to any challenges or inquiries from the USPTO during the examination.
• Enforce your patent rights and represent you in patent-related litigation, if needed.

For personalized guidance and support throughout the patent process, contact our dedicated team at Kaplan Law Practice, LLC in Bergen County, NJ. We are committed to safeguarding your innovative ideas and helping you make a lasting impact in your field.

Contact Our Bergen CountyPatent Lawyer Today!

If you haven’t yet scheduled a consultation with the Law offices of Joshua Kaplan, please do so today. Our Bergen County, NJ patent lawyer team will be honored to help you protect your intellectual property rights.