Patents

Protecting Your Ideas

Last year, our attorneys filed hundreds of U.S. and foreign patent applications for our clients and obtained more U.S. patents than any other IP law firm in Wisconsin. You may have other attorneys for your other legal needs, but patent law requires a focused expertise. Our extensive experience enables us to obtain patents that maximize your competitive edge. Perhaps that is why so many leading companies turn to us for protection.

What Is a Patent

  • A patent is a right granted by the federal government that permits a patent owner to prevent all others from exploiting its “invention” in the United States for a limited time.
  • The public policy behind the patent system is to encourage invention and innovation by rewarding inventors for disclosing and sharing their inventions with the public by giving the patent owner a period of exclusivity to exploit its invention.
  • Patent protection is available for inventions that are new, useful, and non-obvious.

How to obtain a patent

  • To obtain a patent, a detailed application must be filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where it is subject to a rigorous examination process.
  • Prompt consultation with a patent attorney after developing an invention is essential because rights may be lost unless an application is filed in a timely manner and carefully shepherded through the USPTO.
  • Once issued, a patent protects a business’s competitive edge by preventing competitors from making, using, or selling the patented invention for a period of years, generally 20 years from the date the application was filed.

Related News

USPTO Institutes Prioritized Examination for Patent Applications

As of September 26, the America Invents Act now grants Prioritized Examination (PE) for those companies/inventors willing to pay an additional application petition fee. The new PE program places applications on a prioritized "fast track" toward final disposition. According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark...
Patent Law

Congress OKs “Virtual” Patent Marking;Patent Reform Limits False Marking Suits

As you may know, in order to insure that you are entitled to immediate damages for patent infringement, it has been necessary to "mark" product(s) covered by patent(s) with the patent number(s). Historically, this has been done by printing and placing labels on products or...
Patent Law

View Our Legal Practice Areas

We specialize in intellectual property. Because intellectual property law is all we do, our attorneys can help you navigate all of your IP needs. Our focus is given to protecting your ideas, thoughts, and visions. With our team of attorneys and our network of international associates, we provide complete services, both domestically and internationally, in all aspects of intellectual property.

Patents

Gain exclusive rights for machines, products, processes, and material compositions.

Trademarks

Protect the names, images, slogans, and product designs that identify your business.

Copyrights

Protect your original works of authorship, including music and other artistic expression.

International IP Protection

We can obtain IP protection wherever in the world you do business through our international network of associates.

IP Litigation

Our litigation team will aggressively defend your IP rights in court.

Patent Administrative Proceedings

There are options for streamlined patent validity challenges.

Licensing

Monetize your IP investment or negotiate for permission to use another’s IP.

Our Industries & Technologies

We serve clients across a broad spectrum of technology.

Meet Our Team

Whether your needs are domestic or international, Boyle Fredrickson provides expert counsel, personal service and attention to detail not found anywhere else.

Meet Our Team