Obtaining a patent or trademark can be a complex, costly, and time-consuming process. A crucial first step that is often overlooked is conducting a thorough search of existing patents and/or trademarks.
By doing so, one can prevent the issuance of an invalid patent or trademark, as it is important to know whether similar patents or trademarks already exist. Failure to do so may not only jeopardize the chances of obtaining the desired patent or trademark, but also lead to potential litigation.
Conducting searches can also help to save time and money in the long run. By identifying any potential issues early on, it is possible to make necessary changes or adjustments to the patent or trademark application before submission, reducing issues in downstream prosecution or enforcement.
Conducting a comprehensive search is not easy, however. It requires expertise in the field of intellectual property law, as well as access to the appropriate search tools and databases.
As an innovative firm, McCoy Russell leverages its expertise, experience, and proprietary software to integrate information from a number of databases, including domestic, foreign, and scientific information. Please contact us to see if we can assist in your searching needs.