Frequently Asked Questions
Get the FAQ's from Silicon Valley's Top Patent Attorney
Top Frequently Asked Intellectual Property Questions
About the Author
John Ferrell is a founding partner of Carr & Ferrell LLP, one of Silicon Valley's foremost technology law firms, and specializes in patent and intellectual property law matters. He is the Chair of the firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group.
Patents
- What are patents?
- Why do patents matter?
- What kinds of things can be patented?
- Who are the inventors on a patent?
- What if another inventor beats me to the Patent Office?
- When is it too late to file a patent application?
- How do I decide what to patent?
- How can I gain market dominance through patents?
- What are the steps for filing a patent application?
- How do I patent my invention in foreign countries?
- Can I file my own patent application?
Provisional Patent Applications
- What is a provisional patent application?
- What are the benefits of a provisional patent application?
- What are the risks associated with provisional patent applications?
Patent Infringement
- What if someone uses my patented invention without my permission?
- What if I receive a letter that I am infringing another’s patent?
Licensing and Non-Disclosure Agreements
- When can I license my invention?
- What is a non-disclosure agreement?
- Does an non-disclosure agreement need to be in writing?
- If I am asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement, what should I watch out for?
- What if someone I am trying to sell my invention to refuses to sign my non-disclosure agreement?
