What’s A Patent

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About KeganLaw

Since 1940, Kegan & Kegan, Ltd. has provided its clients personalized strategic advice, preventative guidance, and when needed crisis counseling and defense.

We identify, develop, and protect intangible business assets—trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, contracts, websites—and counsel other professionals on legal issues.

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Notice—Laws Change

The law is constantly changing. Moreover, no general discussion can incorporate all the specific facts of your particular situation. Consult an attorney for particular legal questions.

What’s a Patent?

A Patent Is A Limited Monopoly

A patent is a time-nation monopoly the government grants to novel, non-obvious inventions in exchange for the inventor making public, through the application process, a description of how to make the invention. The monopoly--currently 20 years from the effective application date, if maintenance fees are paid for the 4th, 8th, and 12th years--is for the making, using, or selling of the patented invention in the jurisdiction of that government. Filing a proper patent application soon after the invention is reduced to practice is important. To avoid loss of rights and reduce future disputes, consult a intellectual property attorney early if you, or a group you are involved with, may have a patentable invention. In the USA, potential patent rights may be forfeit if the invention is commercialized or publicly described more than one year before the patent application; some foreign jurisdictions require application before any commercialization or public description.

Generally Spherical Object with Floppy Filaments to Promote Sure Capture, Pat 4,756,529

An amusement device which as a substantially spherical configuration, and which is formed from a large plurality of floppy, elastomeric filaments that radiate in a dense, bushy manner from a central core region. The filaments are sufficiently floppy to collapse on impact, thus to absorb enough energy to avoid any tendency to bounce. They are also sufficiently dense and floppy that they tend to quickly thread their way between the fingers of a user on contact with the hand. These features promote sure and quick capture of the device during the act of actching. Inventor Scott Stillinger, Issued 12 July 1988.

Pat4756529_FloppyFilaments.pdf

Damaged Fish Tissue Treating Method and Composition Containing Aloe Vera Extract, Pat 4,500,510

A composition comprising an extract of the Aloe vera Linne plant is used to promote healing of damaged fish tissue. It may be used with one or more agents for replacing the natural mucoprotein secretion which coats the skin and scales of fish. The composition may be added to either fresh water or salt water. Inventor Joel Goldstein, Issued 19 February 1985.

Pat4500510_DamagedFish.pdf

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