Patent Attorney Services

Capitalizing on your ingenuity ...

To Capitalize on Your Ingenuity your innovations must be cared for from cradle to grave. Experienced in medical device, mechanical, tools, household goods, electrical, software and many other type product and process inventions, Wayne J. Colton, Inc. is ready to take your invention from idea to monetized patent.

Patent Applications

Registered Patent Attorney providing full service US and international patent filings, including:

Utility Patent Applications
- Provisional utility applications
- Non-provisional utility applications
- PCT international patent applications
  - Single filing for multiple countries

Ornamental Design Patent Applications
- Non-provisional design applications
- Hague Agreement international design applications
  - Single filing for up to 100 industrial designs in multiple countries

Paris Convention Priority Applications
- Foreign filed patent applications claiming the benefits of earlier filed US patent applications
- US patent applications claiming the benefits of earlier filed foreign patent applications

Prosecution and Maintenance

A patent application must withstand a stringent examination before a patent is granted. For most patents, fees must be periodically paid for the patent to stay in force. Our services include:

Responses to USPTO Office Actions
Prosecution of PCT International Applications
Direction of Foreign Associates
Filing Appeals of Final Examiner Decisions
Tracking and Payment of Maintenance Fees and Annuities or Renewal Fees
- For issued US utility patents
- For most foreign applications and issued patents

Contact Us now to discuss prosecution of a patent application or maintenance of a patent or patent application with a registered patent attorney.

Preserving Patent Rights

Patent rights are often among the most valuable assets an individual or business may hold, providing monopoly type protection for the invention. They are also very easily waived or otherwise lost. Our services implement protective strategies directed to every stage of an invention’s lifetime, including:

Pre-Filing and Ongoing
- Employee Agreements
  - Ensuring confidentiality of inventions prior to filing
  - Ensuring ownership of patent rights
- Invention Disclosure Policies and Forms
- Strategies for Use Effective Use of Inventor’s Notebooks
Filing
- Selection of Application Types
  - Proper use of provisional applications
  - Propriety of multiple applications for distinct inventions, or an ornamental design application with a utility application
- Determination of Timing for Filings
Post-Filing
- Identification or Undisclosed or Unclaimed Improvements
- Identification of Alternative Embodiments or New Uses

Patent Licenses, Conveyances and Other Transactions

Patent rights can be sold or licensed at any stage of the patent application process, and agreements may also be entered into for the development or commercialization of an invention. Our services encompass:

Monetization of Patent Rights
- Patent, or Patent Application, License Agreements
  - Ensure performance by licensee
  - Protect reversionary interests of patent owner
  - Limit liability from activities of licensee
- Sale Agreements
  - Limit liability from activities of purchaser
Acquisition of Patent Rights
- License Agreements
- Sale Agreements
- Due Diligence Reviews
  - Ensure seller’s title to the patent or patent application
  - Evaluate scope of patent protection
  - Determine validity of patent claims
  - Identify infringement risks
Research and Development and Commercialization Agreements
- Joint Research Agreements
  - Establish ownership of developed invention
  - Preserve patent rights
- Joint Venture Agreements

Contact Us now to discuss patent licenses, patent assignments or other patent agreements with a registered patent attorney.

Patent Disputes

Licensed to practice before the US District Courts for the Western, Southern and Northern Districts of Texas and the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Registered to practice in the USPTO.

Patent Litigation (Federal Courts)
- Representing the Patent Holder (Plaintiff)
- Defending the Party Accused of Infringement (Defendant)
- Appellate Practice Before Federal Appeals Court
Patent Challenges (USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board)
- Post Grant Reviews (IPRs)
- Inter Partes Reviews (IPRs)
- Reexamination Proceedings
  - Filed by owner or third party
- Derivation Proceedings

Patent Searches and Opinions

Full range of patent searches as suitable for particular purposes, and corresponding patent opinions as desired, including:

Patent Novelty Searches
- Determining whether to file a patent application
Patentability, Validity and Infringement Opinions
- Litigation
- Purchase or license of patent
- Prospective manufacture of product or use of process

Other Patent Matters

If you have a different patent issue Contact Us now to discuss it with a registered patent attorney. It is very likely that we can help you.

San Antonio, Texas