Patent Law News

Patent and Trademark Experts Advise Inventors and Entrepreneurs on Protecting Their Intellectual Property

Washington, D.C. - The Department of Commerce's United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the National Inventor's Hall of Fame joined forces today to host the 11 th Annual Independent Inventors Conference, the premier conference for aspiring inventors and entrepreneurs. The conference taking place today and tomorrow brings together leading intellectual property experts, as well as some of the nation's most inspiring inventors to provide over 200 conference attendees useful tips on protecting and enforcing their intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world.

"Innovation is driving the 21 st century economy," said Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property Steve Pinkos in a speech today to those attending the conference. "And inventors are the backbone of American ingenuity. Their spirit, drive, and enthusiasm are why America leads the world in innovation."

Pinkos also talked to inventors about what the U.S. government is doing to combat intellectual property theft. He pointed out "that while intellectual property theft poses a threat to all American businesses, small businesses and independent inventors are particularly susceptible because they often lack the resources and expertise available to larger corporations."

Other topics for sessions include patent application preparation, patent searching, licensing, commercializing your idea and resources, grants and funding. Special guest speakers will provide valuable insights for conference attendees including Greg Hart, recent winner of the History Channel's Modern Marvels contest; and Louis Foreman, CEO of Enventys, a product design and manufacturing firm and producer of "Everyday Edisons," which will premiere on public television this fall.

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	Did You Know?
	There is a time limit on patent protection. For applications filed on or after June 8, 1995, utility and plant patents are granted for a term which begins with the date of the grant and usually ends 20 years from the date you first applied for the patent subject to the payment of appropriate maintenance fees. Design patents last 14 years from the date you are granted the patent. Note: Patents in force on June 8 and patents issued thereafter on applications filed prior to June 8, 1995 automatically have a term that is the greater of the twenty year term discussed above or seventeen years from the patent grant.