In the United States, patents are authorized by Article I of the Constitution. By virtue of the laws of the United States, anyone who invents or discovers a new and useful thing or process is entitled to a patent. In return for this disclosure, the United States Government grants the inventor a patent. A patent gives its owner the right to exclude others for a limited period of time from making, using, selling, or offering to sell the patented thing or process.
Many foreign countries operate under a similar system.
In fact, recent changes in the laws of many countries make obtaining and enforcing patents easier. Thus, foreign patents are quicklybecoming an indispensable business tool. This holds true even for small business as the globalization of business makes foreign markets no longer a luxury but an inevitable necessity for all business. We assist clients in evaluating the patentability of inventions, help obtain domestic and foreign patent protection for inventions, and offer advice regarding the use of patents. If licensing is appropriate, we can negotiate and draft licensing agreements.