We try and offer our clients much more cost-effective representation than larger firms.  The costs of patent applications and searches is commensurate witht the complication of the invention, but we are happy to give quotes over the phone.  Some of the services we offer are summarized below.

Typical Patent Matters Typical Trademark Matters
Domestic Patentability Search U.S. Federal Registrability Search (Word Mark):
Foreign Patentability Search U.S. Federal Registrability Search (Design Mark):
U.S. Provisional Patent Application International Trademark Search:
U.S. Design Patent Application U.S. Trademark Application Preparation and Filing:
U.S. Plant Patent Application Office Action Response:
U.S. Utility Patent Application: Software Copyrights
U.S. Utility Patent Application: Simple Mechanical   U.S. Copyright Application Filing:
U.S. Utility Patent Application: Complex Mechanical Domain Name Disputes
U.S. Utility Patent Application: Chemical ICANN Arbitrative Complaint (UDRP, CEDRP, Etc.):
U.S. Utility Patent Application: Electrical Federal ACPA Complaint
U.S. Utility Patent Application: Business Method General Litigation:
PCT Patent Application Transactions
U.S. Office Action Response LLC Organization Docs & Filing (Articles and Operating Agreement):
PCT Office Action Response Articles of Incorporation & Bylaws:
Interference Proceeding Partnership (LLP) formation:
Reexamination Proceedings: Non-disclosure / Non-competition / Non-solicitionation Agreement:
General Patent Litigation: Franchise Formation and UFOC Prepartion (Excludes Registration):
Patentability Opinion  
Flat fee and contingency fee arrangements are available in some situations

 * Filing fees for an international PCT applications is roughly $3,500
COPYRIGHTS
A copyright gives the creator of an original work of authorship the exclusive rights to reproduce the work and to be credited for creating it so long as it exists in a tangible medium, such as on paper, film, or disk. We can file a copyright registration for you with the U.S. Copyright Office.

PATENTS
Design Patent
A design patent protects an ormamental design of a useful item (the way something looks). Cars, shoes, rings and computer icons are all examples. The application process is simple relative to other applications.
Utility Patent
A utility patent is by far the most common type of patent applied for and issued. A utility patent application can be drafted to protect any human-made chemical, machine, device, system, computer program, or method or doing or making almost anything.
Provisional Patent
In the U.S., a provisional patent is a simplified patent application that reserves the right of its inventor to file a utility application for one year. In a sense, it protects an invention temporarily for one year.
Plant Patent
A plant patent covers the creation by a human of a new variety of plant if it can reproduce asexually.
International (PCT) Protection
Under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), inventors can often obtain patent protection in foreign countries if a PCT application is filed with an international receiving office within one year of the first domestic patent filing.
* Please contact us for quotes and information on continuation and divisional applications.
TRADEMARKS
Word mark
A word mark is type of trademark that protects a distinctiveness and novelty inherent in a word or phrase itself, such as Google or Microsoft. A wordmark cannot be generic or non-distinctive, such as Mall or Sports.
Design Mark A design mark typically comprises a logo, symbol, design or image and is affixed to products.
Composite Mark A composite mark is a hybrid mark that combines elements of a wordmark and a design mark.
Service Mark A service mark is associated with a service and usually used in advertising rather than affixed to a product.
Trade Dress Trade dress is any inherently distinctive appearance of a product or its packaging, so long as it is nonfuctional. It does not need to be registered and may include smells or certain types of sound.

PATENTABILITY OPINIONS
USPatentLaw can write patentability opinions on inventions you have developed or are developing.  Please call for rates.
For informational purposes, consult an attorney for legal purposes

LITIGATION
USPatentLaw can may be able to help you with various forms of litigation, including Internet domain name disputes, patent infringement defense and prosecution, and various types of trademark litigation.  Please see our litigation subpage for more information.
For informational purposes, consult an attorney for legal purposes

BROKERAGE & VALUATION SERVICES
Number of Patents in Portfolio Price
1 - 10 $3,500
11 - 25 $6,500
25 - 50 $12,000 
50 - 100 $25,000
For informational purposes, consult an attorney for legal purposes
Email Steve RinehartFree Attorney Consultation

ICANN ARBITRATION (Domain Name Disputes)
If someone has registered and is using, a domain name that is confusingly similar to your own in an abusive manner, we may be able to help you gain ownership of that domain though a quick and simple arbitration process. Click here for more information on domain name disputes. Examples of abusive behavior by others which may entitle you to gain control of their domain, include: (1) registering a domain name that is a misspelling of your domain, (2) registering a domain name that is similar enough to your domain that users looking for you are arriving at their domain by mistake, (3) designing or operating a website that mimics your website in some way that confuses users, or causes them to believe you condone or are associated with the infringing domain, and (4) embarassing you or your users by putting objectionable material on a domain name similar to yours (such as pornography). Individuals and organizations which engage in these behaviors are called cybersquatters or cyberpirates. Cyberpirates often engage in the above listed behaviors in an attempt to extort exorbitant purchaes prices for the infringing domain name out of legitmate website owners. The quasi-private authority which controls ownership of all domain names is called the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). ICANN provides a simple procedure for resolving disputes related to abusive behavior, and we can represent you in availing yourself of that procedure by initiating an administrative proceeding. We do this by filing what is called a UDRP Complaint (or QCP or CEDRP Complaint).
In 2007, 78.8% of the 6,548 UDRP Arbitration complaints filed resulted in the complainant (the filer), gaining control of the domain name in dispute.
In addition to our fees shown above, ICANN charges a $1,300 filing fee to initiate an arbitration proceeding (single member panel).
In more egregious situations, we may also be able to file a federal lawsuit seeking damages for cyber-piracy, cybersquatting, trademark infringement, and unfair business practices.

TRADE SECRETS
Almost any collection of confidential information by a business relating to its economic viability can constitute a trade secret.  Companies can sue individuals who betray their trust after being given confidential access to trade secrets.  Examples of some information which may constitute trade secrets is summarized below:
Formulae Techniques & Patterns People Products & Designs
Soft drink incredients Methods of wiring electrical devices Office emails Source code, schematics
ratios of butter, cheese, or alchol in recipes Company created resources (tangible or intangible) Information about inter-office interactions Marketing strategies, photos, blue prints
estimates of profitability and man hours Performance test results Customers' identities Devices created for employees
Methods of fishing, disposing trash, selling watches, airbrushing photos, designing software Database files
Processes of: treating mentally ill patients, polishing metal, manufacturing boats, generating electricity Opinions of lawyers and consultants
Ratios of raw materials, equipment and men needed for construction projects Voter demographic info
Test pilot opinions on aircraft prototypes Locations of oil or acquifers
Driving and patroling patterns of police and security personnel. Legal Documents
For informational purposes, consult an attorney for legal purposes
 

CONFIDENTIALITY, NON-COMPETE, & NON-SOLICITATION
USPatentLaw may be able to help you enforce soft IP rights stemming from certain types of contracts, including:
Non-disclosure Agreements (Confidentiality)
Non-solicitation Agreements
Non-compete Agreements
For informational purposes, consult an attorney for legal purposes
DISCLAIMER

Nothing on this web site is legal advice and nothing creates an attorney-client relationship. This website is no substitute for the legal counsel of a lawyer or registered patent attorney. Links to other web sites are provided for your convenience and educational purposes. Material presented on this web site is presented on an “as is” basis and may not be accurate. Any representation to the contrary is expressly disclaimed. Use this website is at your risk. We are not liable for any damages caused by use of USPatentLaw.us.