Intellectual Property

  AI has become a game-changer in the patent industry, transforming how professionals conduct IP research. Tools like PatAssist from PatSeer significantly reduce time spent on patent analysis by delivering fast, in-depth insights that previously took hours to extract manually. Key Benefits of AI Assistants in Patent Review: Quick Answers to Technical Queries : AI simplifies complex patent language, making it accessible for both specialists and non-experts. Custom, Multi-Layered Insights : Get tailored responses relevant to your project without scanning full patent documents. Context-Aware Conversations : AI retains previous questions, enabling smoother multi-step analysis. Transparency with Citations : Outputs are backed by direct references, ensuring reliability. Best Practices for Using AI in IP Work: Be specific with your queries. Group related questions for better context. Ask for paragraph citations when needed. Follow up for ...

  Drug development can consume over half of a 20-year patent term, leaving innovators with limited market protection. The U.S. Patent Term Extension (PTE) system (35 U.S.C. §156), introduced un der Hatch-Waxman and the 1988 Generic Animal Drug Act, restores up to 5 years of lost exclusivity plus an optional pediatric extension by compensating for regulatory review delays. In the EU, Supplementary Protection Certificates (SPCs) offer similar relief, with a maximum of 5 years (plus 6 months for pediatric studies) scoped to active ingredients.   To qualify for a PTE/SPC, patents must be un expired, never previously extended, and tied to a first regulatory approval of a drug, device, or other regulated product. Applications must be filed promptly following approval and adhere to precise calculation rules that factor out pre-grant delays and periods of applicant inactivity.   With PTE/SPCs, companies gain vital revenue to recoup the $2.6 billion average R&D cost per drug...

Behind many of the products we use daily are groundbreaking design choices that redefined their entire industries. Think beyond aesthetics . True industrial design transforms functionality, user experience, and even cultural norms.   Take the invention of the Coca-Cola Contour Bottle , a design so unique it’s instantly recognized across the globe. Or the Apple iPhone , which didn’t just update mobile phones but reimagined how we communicate, work, and live. Then there's the Sony Walkman , a portable music player that puts personal audio into millions of pockets and redefines how we consume entertainment.   These are just glimpses into how innovative design shapes the world around us , often in ways we don't even realize. From elegant furniture to iconic technology, the best designs solve real problems while becoming timeless symbols of their era.   Want to dive deeper into the stories behind these and other world-changing designs?   Read the complete list her...

  Tech startups chase speed but giving up all internal R & D can backfire. Open innovation - tapping universities, suppliers, or crowds for ideas - does cut costs and shorten launch times. WIPO data even shows startups reach the market 40 % faster when they add external partners. Yet total outsourcing creates three risks: IP leaks. Without tight control, core patents can slip away.                                                                  Slow iterations. External labs can’t always match a startup’s rapid feedback loops.                              Weakened culture. Investors and engineers gravitate to firms with visible technical depth. Hybrid Strategy Tips Keep game-changing tech internal, outsource the rest.      ...

Bringing a new product to market involves more than innovation—it requires strategic protection. As design patents gain importance in safeguarding the aesthetic aspects of a product, conducting a Freedom to Operate (FTO) search for industrial designs has become a crucial step. A design FTO search helps companies: Avoid legal risks, licensing costs, and forced redesigns                                                                              Navigate design rights across global markets                                                                                        ...

Should you patent your innovation or keep it under wraps? It’s a question that has shaped the strategies of industry giants like Apple, Coca-Cola, and Google. Patents offer strong legal protection — but require public disclosure and hefty costs. Trade secrets, on the other hand, are free to keep — but risky to lose. Choosing the right path isn’t just a legal decision — it’s a business strategy. From tech to pharmaceuticals, and from manufacturing to software, different industries lean on different IP tactics to gain a competitive edge. In this quick-read guide, I break down: Key differences between patents and trade secrets Industry-specific trends and best practices Global legal impacts (like GDPR and the Defend Trade Secrets Act) Strategic questions to help you decide what’s best for your business Sometimes the smartest move is a hybrid approach. 🧠 Want to dig deeper into how companies like Tesla and Pfizer handle this decision? 👉  Read the full guide here  — How to Decide...