If you have an invention you’re launching, looking into patent clearance and protection isn’t enough. While a patent FTO search focuses on identifying patents your
If the patent freedom-to-operate (FTO) search reveals a concerning patent, your invention may be in danger of infringing, the situation is not hopeless. This is
The entire FTO analysis hinges on the claims section of a patent. The claims define the legal boundary of the inventor’s protection. They are the
Just today, on November 25, 2025, as I was writing next week’s posts about the right of publicity and related issues, news broke that the
An FTO search is a focused investigation into all active, unexpired patents in the countries where you plan to manufacture and sell (e.g., the U.S.
What if your invention, your product, or your method is hiding the catastrophic secret that part of it infringes on someone else’s patent rights?
You don’t need to fear this terror, because you can and should plan to avoid it. If you have high-value patents or trademarks, here are
So why is the standard will, drafted by a general attorney, insufficient to properly transfer patent and trademark ownership?
It comes down to three
Let’s look at the specific risks of poor intellectual property succession planning. These are the ghosts of your assets that haunt your legacy if you
Most people think of their IP like a regular asset that upon their death will either transfer automatically or be handled easily by the executor
The thesis today is simple, yet alarming: A standard will and skimpy business operation documents can be a death sentence for your most valuable intellectual
Once you’ve invented that brilliant gadget or coined that killer brand name, who do you hire to protect it? The choices can feel like a
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult with a licensed attorney.