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So far Gene Pierson has created 151 blog entries.

International Intellectual Property laws with respect to pharmaceuticals patents in Africa, part 2

A. Patent Rights Under TRIPS TRIPS is the only agreement established by the World Trade Organization that specifically covers intellectual property rights.[1] The TRIPS agreement sets a minimum standard for international intellectual property protection and allows individual nations to control their domestic intellectual property laws. Furthermore, when the WTO agreed to TRIPS, many different factors [...]

By |2012-10-30T18:42:35-05:00October 30th, 2012|Foreign Patent Prosecution|Comments Off on International Intellectual Property laws with respect to pharmaceuticals patents in Africa, part 2

International Intellectual Property laws with respect to pharmaceuticals patents in Africa, part 1

Written by an Austin Patent Attorney in 2009 and recently updated in 2012, this blog series will examine how South Africa complies with TRIPS and advocates that South Africa will benefit in the long term from strong international patent protection and intellectual property laws. Further, this blog post advocates that intellectual property and patent laws [...]

By |2012-10-30T18:44:02-05:00October 30th, 2012|Foreign Patent Prosecution|Comments Off on International Intellectual Property laws with respect to pharmaceuticals patents in Africa, part 1

“What is the standard required for patentability if I am combining a couple of elements from different inventions to create something better?”

Many inventions that are created are combinations of elements that are already in the public domain. I question that I frequently get asked, is “What is the standard required for patentability if I am combining a couple of elements from different inventions to create something better?” This blog post by an Austin, TX Patent Attorney [...]

By |2012-10-30T14:36:18-05:00October 30th, 2012|Blog, Patent Basics|Comments Off on “What is the standard required for patentability if I am combining a couple of elements from different inventions to create something better?”

Five reasons why clear and detailed figures are critical for a good patent.

1) It is important to include figures detailing each and every novel feature of your invention. As a patent attorney, inventors who have created a mechanical invention will typically only provide me with a couple of figures detailing only the most specific features of their invention without taking into considerations different ways a product could [...]

By |2012-10-29T11:41:14-05:00October 29th, 2012|Blog, Patent Basics|Comments Off on Five reasons why clear and detailed figures are critical for a good patent.

Mayo v. Prometheus

The following is an Austin, Texas patent attorney’s overview of Mayo v. Prometheus, and learning lessons for patent attorneys. BRIEF OVERVIEW: Claim 1 of Prometheus’ 6,355,623 patent which is in question in this case, recited: A method of optimizing therapeutic efficacy for treatment of an immune-mediated gastrointestinal disorder, comprising: (a) administering a drug providing 6-thioguanine [...]

By |2012-10-28T23:07:27-05:00October 28th, 2012|Blog, Patent Attorney Takeaways|Comments Off on Mayo v. Prometheus

10 Things To Do Before Speaking with A Patent Attorney

As an Austin, Texas Patent Attorney I recommend inventors and start-ups do the following before speaking with a patent attorney. 1-      Do Your Own Patent Search While I recommend that companies obtain a patent attorney to complete a patent search and opinion, I do believe that companies should perform their own patent search before they [...]

By |2012-10-27T10:31:07-05:00October 27th, 2012|Blog, Patent Basics|Comments Off on 10 Things To Do Before Speaking with A Patent Attorney

In re Bilski part 1: Overview

Bilski was a landmark patent case relating to what is patentable subject matter under 35 USC §101 and affected how patent attorney’s in Austin and throughout the US drafted claims and patents. In Bilski the Supreme Court affirmed the patent board of appeals that a method of hedging risks in commodities trading does not meet [...]

By |2012-10-26T18:19:16-05:00October 26th, 2012|Blog|Comments Off on In re Bilski part 1: Overview

Overview of Design Patents

A design patent is a patent granted for the “ornamental design” (i.e. the look) of a functional item. Design patents have been granted for a plurality of different items ranging from tangible items such as cars, computers, lamps to non-tangible items such as mobile application icons and buttons on a computer screen. The standard for [...]

By |2012-10-26T14:21:05-05:00October 26th, 2012|Blog, Patent Basics|Comments Off on Overview of Design Patents

What is a trademark search?

A trademark search and opinion is a thorough search of various trade-mark databases both state and federal, business directors, and other sources to determine if your trademark will not be mistaken by another as the source of your product or service. Trademark searches are highly recommended before a company begins using a logo or slogan [...]

By |2012-10-25T22:33:30-05:00October 25th, 2012|Blog, Trademark Basics|Comments Off on What is a trademark search?

How Much Does It Cost To Obtain A Patent?

An initial question I frequently get asked by inventors or start-up companies going through the patent process for the first time is “How much does it cost to obtain a patent?” This is a difficult question for a patent attorney to answer, but as an initial ball park figure estimate at least $7000. This price [...]

By |2012-10-24T21:51:09-05:00October 24th, 2012|Blog, Patent Basics|Comments Off on How Much Does It Cost To Obtain A Patent?
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