Houstonians should choose patent lawyer in Houston. These professionals have a lot of experience with patent law and will be able to give you the guidance that you need. Intellectual property rights can be protected by these experts, but they can also help find solutions to other legal issues that may arise as well. Below we have outlined some of the most common reasons why it is important for people in this region to work with a Houstonian attorney.
Your best bet for a patent lawyer is one in Houston. Especially for those competing in the Houston market, they have experience with intellectual property rights, and they are knowledgeable in all areas of patent law. Local areas such as Space City, or even surrounding cities like The Woodlands and Sugar Land, are part of the greater Houston metropolitan area, so it`s imperative that these professionals know what they`re doing. The patent attorneys in this region are different from those located elsewhere because their experience is specific to local laws and customs. They also have a deep understanding of how important patents are for innovation and development in these areas.
Among the attorneys that you find are those specializing in helping new inventors and those who handle intellectual property litigation.
If you plan on starting a business or developing any inventions, it is time to contact a attorney now.
When do I need to patent something?
If you want to protect your business`s ideas, patenting is a highly recommended legal mechanism. If you don`t patent your idea, there are risks:
- your invention is being taken and profited off by someone else;
- losing much of the original intellectual property (IP) should litigation arise;
- if your product never reaches public release, you are confronted with corporations who provide different solutions.
It`s never too early to patent. Patents secure your rights to the invention as well as offer protection against infringement.
When inventors should file their patents — it depends on what stage of development they are in, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office:
- Disclosure of Invention: This is the first stage, when you have an invention but haven`t yet submitted any application, whether provisional or non-provisional.
- Concept: This happens after you disclose your invention for feedback from others.
- Working Prototype Stage: This is the stage when you have a prototype that can be tested or demonstrated.
- Marketable Product Stage: You are at risk if it`s been marketed through public use.
How about when someone infringes on my patents?
Regardless of your industry, there is a good chance that someone will use one of your patents without your permission at some point during your career. If an employee is careless or a customer doesn`t follow the company`s policy, this could happen.
Patent infringement can affect you as an inventor on many levels:
- It`s possible that your competitor could sell a copy of your product;
- Consumers could choose a competitor`s product over yours;
- You could be forced to pay royalties, or have your rights taken away.
In these situations, it`s important to know how patent theft can affect your business and what steps you need to take to fight back. It`s important that every inventor in the Houston area has a skilled patent attorney, like Lloyd & Mousilli.