Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership | This website contains attorney advertising.
June 29, 2007

7 Reasons Patents Should Not Be Ignored

  • Avoiding losses. Your company could suffer huge losses in a single year by infringing on someone else's patent.
  • Protecting your assets.  Owning your own patented technology can lead to higher revenue in the form of royalties or licensing fees.
  • Deadlines.  If you have a patentable invention, you have only a one-year grace period from the date of the "public disclosure" to file a patent application (outside the U.S. there is no such grace period).
  • Awareness.  Being ignorant of the fact that someone else has patented technology is not a defense to patent infringement.
  • Free searches.  The US Patent and Trademark Office has a free Web site (www.uspto.gov) where you can search to see what patents have been issued-not just to prevent infringement, but as a first step to obtaining your own patent protection.
  • Exclusivity.  With a patent protecting your technology, you can exclude others from making or selling it.
  • Financial health.  With your assets protected, you will be in a stronger position if you seek to acquire another company (or be acquired).
The material contained in this communication is informational, general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. The material contained in this communication should not be relied upon or used without consulting a lawyer to consider your specific circumstances. This communication was published on the date specified and may not include any changes in the topics, laws, rules or regulations covered. Receipt of this communication does not establish an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this communication may be considered attorney advertising.