Patents are the go-to method for protecting inventions but you have alternatives such as trade secrets, defensive disclosures, and utility models. Also consider filing a patent application with delayed examination.Read More

The on-sale bar in US patent law starts when the product is on sale even if the process to make the product is secret. This has an effect on the IP strategy of many companies.Read More

Intellectual property (IP) scams make use of public information make the scammers seem legit, when really they are just targeting individuals and businesses trying to protect their IP rights. Protect yourself from these scams, always verify the legitimacy of any message you receive regarding your IP rights.Read More

We are often asked about the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system which offers you a unified procedure for filing patent applications in many places. Whether this snooze button used to delay further patent applications is right for you depends.Read More

The USPTO has a program that allows first-time inventors to get your patent examined faster.Read More

Every technology company in British Columbia should join AccelerateIP. They provide funding for IP education, IP strategy, and services. Perpetual Motion Patents is one of the approved service providers in the program.Read More

Every Canadian technology company should join the Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP). They can help you grow your business through advice, connections, and funding for a robust IP management program.Read More

IP managers, like scientists, analyze challenges. They work with emerging technology and identify assets that align with strategic goals, much like scientific hypotheses align with research objectives.Read More

IP managers strategically choose which assets to protect, like an artist selecting colours. They identify assets the way a photographer isolates details in a crowded scene.Read More

The government of Canada has increased the posted fees for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, and other IP. Expect at least a 25% fee increase in 2024 with a few exceptions. However, if you act now you can save money.Read More