About: Andrew P. Lahser, Phoenix Patent Attorney

Profile: Mr. Lahser helps small businesses protect their concepts in commerce. Mr. Lahser practices as a patent attorney near Phoenix, Arizona. Mr. Lahser is admitted to practice law before the Arizona Supreme Court and the US Patent and Trademark Office. Mr. Lahser offers patent information and help online for small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups .

Articles by Andrew P. Lahser, Phoenix Patent Attorney:

Does An Inventor Have to Apply In Person?

My brother has created an item of apparel that he would like to patent, however there are no patent attorneys in Augusta, GA. I thought that I could handle it in my area (Ocean County, NJ) but I can’t believe that there are no patent attoreys near me. I recently moved to this area from New York City, where every service is at your fingertips. Hard to get used to. Can you tell me how to patent without visiting an attorney’s office?

No, you do not need to apply for a patent in person, you must apply in writing to the US Patent Office. Usually, you do this through your attorney. Your attorney will write a patent filing (patent application) and submit it on your behalf. It is not typically necessary to meet with an attorney in person. Simply call and interview your attorney by phone.

Since you mentioned clothing (apparel), it is worth mentioning that apparel may be difficult to patent. Next to cooking, clothing is one of the oldest arts known. Because so many people have invented clothing of all types before your brother, this can make it more difficult go receive a patent. Remember, something about the apparel has be be new (invented) to receive patent protection.

Also, you might want to check out the guide on “How to find a Patent Attorney.” I suggest in that guide that the a patent attorney you select should understand your invention and its technology. A patent attorney that is well versed in clothing may be able to help you determine if anything about your apparel is new.

Use the patent attorney that understands your technology

We are a California firm seeking patent counsel outside of CA. Is there any advantage to staying local when it comes to finding a patent attorney?
[Read more]

PR for your Startup

Want PR for your startup? Here’s Silicon Alley’s PR todo list:

1. Fire your PR Company
2. Be the Brand
3. Be Everywhere
4. Pick up the check
5. Be human
6. Bond with your journalist
7. How a CEO should email a journalist [Read more]

3 Factors any Business Plan should Consider Before Filing a Patent Application

Factor 1: Can you beat your competition in the marketplace by being First to Market?

When your invention budget is limited, you can opt to invest the maximum money in marketing and forego patent protection. Eventually, the marketplace will copy your success. While your invention and success is unknown, copying is less likely. Since your competitors will waste time discovering your invention’s success and waste time copying your invention, your invention will enjoy a limited time when it is unique in the marketplace. A carefully crafted marketing program can leverage this advantage both before and after your competition enters the marketplace. [Read more]

Patent Searching

A patentability search helps an inventor determine whether the scope of available patent protection may be a worthwhile business risk. The “prior art” is searched for earlier inventions. The prior art is analyzed and compared to the invention to determine how the invention might be novel (new). The novel elements of the invention will [Read more]

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