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Copyright & Patents/Questions Answered by Expert Rene Hasekamp
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Euro patent | 1/28/2012 |
| Q: I have sold but not delivered and have not disclosed yet, my invention in India. Can I still patent ... A: If you have not disclosed your invention in any written (publicly accessible) source, and there are ... | |
| Are European patents easier and cheaper for the beginning inventor? | 11/30/2011 |
| Q: What European countries are better for patents? Do these countries check that the invention has not ... A: Some European countries (France, the Netherlands, Belgium and more) have a "registration system", ... | |
| Any methods to secure my position that I am the copyright holder? | 9/3/2011 |
| Q: The issue is about international copyright law. Hypothetical Scenario: I made a research paper ... A: You could (also) keep a journal or notebook, similar to an inventor, in which you describe how you ... | |
| patents! | 6/12/2011 |
| Q: I live in England. Il try to word this question without giving my idea away!! I have an ideafor a ... A: I said they will be reluctant, because they probably believe that they are the ones who have to ... | |
| patents! | 6/12/2011 |
| Q: I live in England. Il try to word this question without giving my idea away!! I have an ideafor a ... A: Normally I would advise you to apply for a patent before you start negotiating with anybody. But ... | |
| Legal issues with writing a technical guide for a digital music mixing software program for digital DJs. | 6/5/2011 |
| Q: I hope this questions comes within your area of expertise. I would like to write a technical guide ... A: Indeed this is not my field of expertise, but nevertheless I hardly can believe I that I am wrong ... | |
| Innovative idea | 5/20/2011 |
| Q: Sir, I am a deputy engineer in an organization, which i don't want to disclose. I just , after ... A: From your question I understand that you believe you invented something as an employee, that is ... | |
| shoe design | 4/30/2011 |
| Q: How can I tell if a shoe design has a current patent on it. I would like to manufacture a shoe that ... A: To start with: 1) I am a patent expert, not a design or copyright expert, although I have some ... | |
| Is this Patentable? | 4/30/2011 |
| Q: Dear Sir, I Need some help please. I have solved the Usury (Riba) found in the Leverage for Forex, ... A: Ideas and business systems are not patentable in most - if not all - countries. I believe that what ... | |
| Curiousities surrounding scanning materials from a book in a college assignment? | 4/20/2011 |
| Q: I am a British student currently studying Graphic Design, and one of my current projects is to ... A: In the first place: I am a patent expert, not a copyright expert. Nevertheless I can say the ... | |
| Industrial Patent | 3/8/2011 |
| Q: Our company (there are 5 partners) have a product that is protected in the US with "patent pending" ... A: You doubtless know already that a product, protected by a patent, may be produced, sold, etc. only ... | |
| Does copyright applied to paid notices | 11/18/2010 |
| Q: I was wondering nocices such as Obituary, In Memory of, and Baby Birth etc., published in newspaper ... A: Please note: I am a patent expert, only sideways familiar with copyright. However, I am quite ... | |
| Obtaining copyright permission | 8/3/2010 |
| Q: Do I need permission to quote song lyrics in my writing [if any gets published!!!] and how would I ... A: I am not a copyright expert, but a patent expert. Nevertheless I am quite certain that the following ... | |
| Distributing Free Software | 7/26/2010 |
| Q: I have noticed that many Freeware have a legal note stating “free for non-commercial use” I wanted ... A: To start with: I am not an expert in licensing and copyright, but i believe the following is ... | |
| Pre-empting a patent with copyright | 7/18/2010 |
| Q: I am to poor to buy patents but I have several idea which I think could be profitable if patented. I ... A: You are right that everything you "create" is copyright to you, but that is not the case in the ... | |
| patenting protecting my shoessssss | 5/29/2010 |
| Q: .. I have recently been in the process of designing a range of medical orthotic shoes for the older ... A: Although I am not an expert in designs, I believe you give the main answer already by yourself, when ... | |
| copywrite | 2/10/2010 |
| Q: I have written a show that I will be pitching to major cable channels/movie channels for upcoming ... A: A work is copyrighted as soon as it has been created. So, you do not have to do anything. It can be ... | |
| Protection of idea | 12/14/2009 |
| Q: I have an idea about internet site that would be very helpful in specific industry in Europe. I ... A: Ideas cannot be protected. Patent law is made to protect inventions (products, apparatus, ... | |
| Copyrighting a cartoon | 10/16/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering how i could copyright a cartoon it's just a little character i made up but i think ... A: Copyright is established the moment a "work of art" has been created, and does not have to be ... | |
| how to protect an idea | 6/4/2009 |
| Q: I am a citizen of Spain. I am intending to start an online platform to teach languages. My ... A: In fact I do not really see a solution: - As you state rightly a methodology cannot be patented. As ... | |
| European renewal fees | 5/11/2009 |
| Q: If the European Patent Office grants me a patent. I understand that I have to pay annual renewal ... A: You (only) pay renewal fees to EPO before the grant of the patent. You (only) pay the member states ... | |
| VUS Copyright Office, België & Nederland | 1/12/2009 |
| Q: Is iets dat in de Verenigde Staten gereciteerd is met de US Copyright Office as Copyright is dat ook ... A: Wanneer het gaat om een "work of art" (muziek, geschrift etc.) is in Nederland geen registratie ... | |
| Herbal Formulas | 12/14/2008 |
| Q: With regard to protecting one's formula, you mentioned keeping the ingredients a secret. When one ... A: If you have to disclose all the ingredients, including proportions, on the label, it will be ... | |
| modifying a patent afterwards | 8/4/2008 |
| Q: If someone invents something and files a patent and it is approved. Later he discovers some ... A: No, it is not possible to modify a granted patent. If you discover an improvement later, you can ... | |
| video copyright | 7/25/2008 |
| Q: i am just starting an aerial video business and i intend to take unique video of various landmarks, ... A: Although copyright is not really my expertise, I can answer the following: YouTube puts a link next ... | |
| general copyright questions | 7/23/2008 |
| Q: Rene, I apologize if this is not your area, but basic questions... 2 questions: #1.) I am studying ... A: This indeed not my strongest point but: #1 I think the best place to start is WIPO (World ... | |
| Copyrights and collectible card games | 3/11/2008 |
| Q: My question concerns collectible card games, such as for example "Magic the gathering". As you ... A: I ma not really a copyright expert, but the following seems completely correct to me: If there ... | |
| How to protect a herbal formula? | 11/4/2007 |
| Q: How can I register a formula for a tonic prepared 100% from herbs? Will the mere registration ... A: To be honest, the easiest way would be to keep the formula secret. A herbal tonic is probably not ... | |
| Celebrity Cards | 10/10/2007 |
| Q: i am unsure if this is the right place to ask such a question. Basically i am just wondering if your ... A: Although I am a patent expert, which is quite remote from the field of this question, I am quite ... | |
| Replica parts | 7/11/2007 |
| Q: I looking into producing fairing panels for various models of motorcycle. This will involve ... A: I see several problems here. You make replica parts for motorcycles. I will mention the most obvious ... | |
| ebay copyright | 6/30/2007 |
| Q: I make and sell aceos on ebay (2.5" x 3.5" works of art) and I was told that this was a new quote ... A: Please note that I am a patent expert, which really is quite different from a copyright expert. ... | |
| Copyrights | 6/14/2007 |
| Q: If I wanted to use a quote from famous writers(ones who have passed life)in my book. who do I ... A: I am not a copyright experts, but a patent expert. This having been said, I believe the following ... | |
| Copyright Issues | 2/5/2007 |
| Q: Copyright issues, this is a fictional situation.what could hank do in the situation described. Hank ... A: Although I am not a copyright expert, but a patent expert, I can answer as follows: Hank can sue ... | |
| perpetual motion machine | 2/4/2007 |
| Q: well actually we have created a perpetual motion machine in reality and its spinning at 120 rpm ... A: I prefer to depend on the 'laws of nature', and therefore do not believe a perpetual motion machine ... | |
| perpetual motion machine | 2/4/2007 |
| Q: i'm from delhi ( india ) and 18 years old. me and my friend have created an actual working perpetual ... A: A perpetual motion machine is considered to be against the laws of nature and is therefore not ... | |
| Renewal & Maintainance Fee | 1/29/2007 |
| Q: Do I have to pay the maintainance fee every year eventhough my patent is granted?I have filled a ... A: Yes, you have to pay a fee to maintain your application during the time the patent has not yet been ... | |
| Patent & copyright | 9/29/2006 |
| Q: Sir, We are in India, a printing press intend to re-print old paintings of master painters like Raja ... A: Although I am a patent expert, I do have some knowledge of copyright, and to the best of my ... | |
| Filling a Patent in Netherlands | 7/20/2006 |
| Q: Rene, It's so luck for me to find your info and hopefully can get some help from your expertise. ... A: 1) Sadly I cannot find an online translation of our patent legislation. For the European legislation ... | |
| Taking out a patent | 6/28/2006 |
| Q: I wonder if you could help me,I have designed a product that I would like to put on the market. ... A: In the first place I would consider to apply for a European patent, if I were you. A UK patent only ... | |
| Copyright/trademark dispute | 6/8/2006 |
| Q: I am an UK based ebay trader with the ebay user-id 'games2collect' & the email address ... A: Please note that I am well acquainted with patents, but I that I have also some knowledge of related ... | |
| Questions. | 6/2/2006 |
| Q: But how can a competitor be successful at significantly imitating a patent yet without infringing ... A: The way you put it here (successfully imitating without infringing) is theoretically indeed ... | |
| Questions. | 6/1/2006 |
| Q: Can you tell me how a patent can become (and be made) invalid, either by myself or by my ... A: This is a very complicated question. Let me make two general remarks. - Your patent may be too ... | |
| Patent Dilemma | 4/29/2006 |
| Q: Let's say I successfully patent my invention in Country A, but not yet in Country B, and someone in ... A: After you file for a patent for an invention in the first country (say Country A), you have one year ... | |
| Stages 2 Go | 3/27/2006 |
| Q: I am sure what I am about to ask may require consultation fees. So I expect any answers given will ... A: Your first question is too complicated for me to answer. You will find most aswers hoewever at the ... | |
| Crooked Agents Part 2 | 3/24/2006 |
| Q: So how in the world am I able to hire a recognized, professional, patent attorney? How do I identify ... A: Patent Offices have an official register of recognized patent attorneys. This register is open to ... | |
| Crooked Agents | 3/24/2006 |
| Q: I was wondering if hiring a patent agent (I don't know how to correctly address them - but I assume ... A: I am writing about the situation in Europe here (which I am familiar with), but I believe it is ... | |
| Finding patent | 1/3/2006 |
| Q: How can I find out all the patent holders of a product category? For example, I want to find out who ... A: You can access the databases of USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) from this page: ... | |
| Not clear part 2 | 1/1/2006 |
| Q: You misunderstood one of my questions. The first part was correct and clear but the second part ... A: OK, I understand. Nevertheless the answer is not much different: A can apply for a patent in country ... | |
| Not clear | 12/31/2005 |
| Q: You wrote "Company A does not infringe a patent in country X by company B if it applies for the ... A: This how I understood your questions: You say: "B has a patent in country X. What can A do in ... | |
| Patent matters | 12/30/2005 |
| Q: Why are so many companies applying for more than 1 patent on a single product when 1 patent is ... A: Patents are valid for 20 years (in most countries). Therefore companies try to patent amendments, in ... | |
| Copyrights | 11/24/2005 |
| Q: I want to find out how to obtain copyrights for a inventions and where to go to check and see if it ... A: You probably mean that you want to obtain a patent (not copyright) for your invention. You have to ... | |
| Troubling Claims Part 3. | 11/7/2005 |
| Q: I have an invention that's purely mechanical but I don't think it is safe enough just by making ... A: Your questions are becoming more and more difficult to answer, because it is not clear what they are ... | |
| Troubling Claims Part 2. | 10/27/2005 |
| Q: About that 38-42 cm part from the 2nd invention, even though that specific 4 cm part is novel, but ... A: The second invention (38-42) would be dependent on the first. The holder of the first patent (you) ... | |
| Claims, Claims & Claims | 10/25/2005 |
| Q: How exactly will a claim be considered infringed? Say if a claim states that the invention contains ... A: You ask very complex questions, because cases of infringement are probably the most difficult part ... | |
| how to patent? | 9/8/2005 |
| Q: my brother and i are keen amateur inventors and we have recently had an offer from a uk company to ... A: Patenting is a process full of pitfalls. I would therefore strongly advise you to contact a patent ... | |
| Patent | 8/16/2005 |
| Q: Presently, we hold a Dutch patent for an invention that was never commercialized. The invention was ... A: Please do NOT cancel a patent you are still interested in (or in its further development)! (I ... | |
| Patenting Theories and Ideas | 5/25/2005 |
| Q: The question I would like to is: "Can Idea and theories be patented? if yes, do they require a ... A: The answer can be short: "No". Ideas and theories cannot be patented. This is true for European law ... | |
| Non-disclosure agreement | 4/6/2005 |
| Q: I live in Australia and am designing a board game. I have approached an Italian illustrator to do ... A: In Europe board games (the game itself or the rules) cannot be patented, because they do not involve ... | |
| Selling a patent | 2/21/2005 |
| Q: A freiend of mine and I own a US patent. We have been contacted by a company in Switzerland that ... A: I know very little of the practice of selling patents, but what I know for certain is that the price ... | |
| hoewel eigenlijk US patent vraag: misschien toch een antwoord mogelijk ? | 1/10/2005 |
| Q: Hallo, Ik ben een (Nederlandse) uitvinder momenteel woonachtig in Houston, Texas, en ben bezig een ... A: Hallo, Ik kan inderdaad alleen antwoorden met mijn kennis van het Europese en (vooral) Nederkandse ... | |
| friendster | 12/26/2004 |
| Q: Why couldn't Friendster.com be patented? A: Patents are meant for technical inventions. So far (at least in Europe) business ideas, game rules ... | |
| Copyright | 8/16/2004 |
| Q: Would it be possible to use "The Creation of Adam" by Michelangelo as a business logo? A: 1) I am not a copyright expert but a patent expert. Nevertheless I can answer the following: 2) ... | |
| patent law- business concept | 8/14/2004 |
| Q: Bangalore, 14th Aug 2004 Hi Rene, Does the law permit to take patent for a business idea? By ... A: Some of your questions are outside my expertise! Here is what I know: In the Netherlands patents for ... | |
| patents on plants | 8/9/2004 |
| Q: We hold the patents for several plants in the U.S. Do you know when US plant patents expire in ... A: US patents are only valid in the US. You will probably also have coresponding patents in Europe. ... | |
| patent issues? | 8/9/2004 |
| Q: When drafting my patent application, what are the things that I need to explain in detailed manner? ... A: You have to explain your invention in such a detailed way, that it can be understood by "the average ... | |
| International policies? | 7/30/2004 |
| Q: I understand that there's some international policy/agency where I can apply patent once and that ... A: There are two types of "International" filing: 1) At the European Patent Office (http://www.epo.org) ... | |
| patent rejection | 7/26/2004 |
| Q: Is it possible that patent officers might reject my application and after that, steal my invention ... A: No, that is not possible, at least very, very unlikely. In my country it is impossible, because ... | |
| intellctual property | 7/22/2004 |
| Q: My name is amiram kenig and I am a law studend from Israel. My question is: What is the current ... A: Computer software is likely to be patentable within a few years. Most experts now agree that it ... | |
| Copyright for 501c3s | 7/19/2004 |
| Q: I am wondering if it in necessary for non-proift organizations to receive copyright permission from ... A: I am not a copyright expert (but a patent expert), but I am quite sure of this answer: Yes, ... | |
| risks in free invention | 7/6/2004 |
| Q: What's the potential problems I and the society probably will face if an invention that is so great ... A: I see no problems here. Doubtless some companies will make lots of money out of it, instead of you, ... | |
| another tell me why questions | 7/6/2004 |
| Q: If I intend to make my invention free, why still called it patent application? What does patent ... A: Again: the publication is meant to prevent others to obtain a patent for your invention. Also in the ... | |
| reply to this one | 6/30/2004 |
| Q: I asked you some questions before this and later I found out I didn't receive the receipt. I hope ... A: It appears that former answers can only be seen by me. Thereforte I checked them. These are your ... | |
| more about publishing | 6/30/2004 |
| Q: Is publishing the invention to tell people that "Yeah, I am the one who invented it first"? Why do I ... A: The idea behind publishing is 1) to tell people "Yeah, I am the one who invented it first", but also ... | |
| Some questions ... | 6/28/2004 |
| Q: Is there any international body that is established to really honestly help people regarding ... A: The only International body of importance in Intellectual Property matters is WIPO (World ... | |
| Invention without control | 6/28/2004 |
| Q: I think I asked you this before but I have forgotten. I want to know how can my invention, which is ... A: I believe all previous answers can be consulted on the AllExperts website. Please check them out in ... | |
| copyrights | 5/27/2004 |
| Q: Let me get back to my original question and will try to be more exact. If I quote precisely what ... A: I consider this the last question regarding this subject. For more detailed advice you really should ... | |
| copyrights | 5/27/2004 |
| Q: ------------------------- But I am sending a company a plaque that they will use in their office. ... A: I consider this the last question regarding this subject. For more detailed advice you really should ... | |
| copyrights | 5/26/2004 |
| Q: ------------------------- Could there be an objection to saying: Voted One of America's Top 500 ... A: Yes, I think there could be an objection. This statement would be incomplete and therefore ... | |
| copyrights | 5/26/2004 |
| Q: ------------------------- I see shampoos that say the is a duplicate of Friedman Shampoo. Is the ... A: If you advertise with "This is a duplicate of Friedman shampoo" (that is how I understand your ... | |
| Copyright of Government Acts & Regulations | 5/26/2004 |
| Q: Who owns the copyright of Government Acts & Regulations? Or are these under public domain where ... A: I only am familiar with the situation in my country (the Netherlands). Government acts and ... | |
| copyrights | 5/25/2004 |
| Q: I have another question. Can I sell a plaque that recognizes a company, doctor, etc. and put on ... A: I see no objection to what you give as an example. The only conflict that might arise is with the ... | |
| Copyright Law UK | 5/20/2004 |
| Q: I am in the health services resesarch area and have noticed that someone has reproduced a ... A: Yes, if you describe the situation correctly (obvious breach of copyright) the person would need ... | |
| Scratch cards | 4/15/2004 |
| Q: I'm not sure if its possible but we are creating a new business in Spain around scratch card ... A: I see two reasons why your concept can (highly probably) not be patented: 1. An essential ... | |
| Free inventions without control? | 4/12/2004 |
| Q: What if someone come and claim that he/she apply first and I am the real culprit doing the ... A: In all countries, except in the US, the "first to file system" is anchored in the law. This means ... | |
| Free inventions without control? | 4/8/2004 |
| Q: Let's say I have an invention and I would like to give this invention for free on the Internet. What ... A: As soon as you have published your invention, nobody can apply successfully for a patent any more, ... | |
| domain name violation? | 3/26/2004 |
| Q: I have a quick question...a couple of weeks ago, I bought www.MentallyDefective.com, and recently I ... A: This questin is in fact otside my knowledge, because in every country the rules for domain names may ... | |
| Unprotected profit | 3/16/2004 |
| Q: What would you do if you were from Canada, Had a Canadian and U.S. patent on a machine that could be ... A: The answer (sadly) seems easy to me: If you do not have a patent in Australia, everybody there is ... | |
| Friendster.com | 2/25/2004 |
| Q: How come there are so many alternatives to Friendster (as seen at http://www.notfriendster.com/) if ... A: As far as I understand Friendster, it is a way to bring people together through a software ... | |
| copyrights to old games | 1/26/2004 |
| Q: My boss really wants to purchase rights to the old 3M bookshelf games, but try as I might, I cannot ... A: Patents expire after 20 years, so if the games are old, it is unlikely that there still are valid ... | |
| Software technology patent | 8/31/2003 |
| Q: I have invented several software technologies which can become commercial. They include some ideas ... A: In the first place I want to point at the Paris Convention, of which your country is a member. One ... | |
| Copyrighted MP3's | 8/11/2003 |
| Q: I make music using my computer using a program called "eJay", which is royalty free. How would I go ... A: I am no copyright expert, but what I know is this. Copyright exists as soon as the "work of art" has ... | |
Copyright & Patents
Answers by Expert:
Rene Hasekamp
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions about European patent law and practice. My experience mainly lies in the Dutch patent practice. I am not familiar with other patent systems than the European and Dutch systems, although I am familiar with general issues regarding patents. Please don`t ask me questions, specific for US patent law or any other non-European patent law.
Experience
I have been a patent examiner in the Netherlands Patent Office for 35 years. Now 9 am retired. I have been a deputy judge for patent cases in The Hague's District Court from January 1991 until June 2011.
Education/Credentials
I graduated in Chemistry and Law at Leiden University. I have worked in the Netherlands Patent Office as an examiner for 35 years until my retirement in 2003. I was appointed as a honorary deputy judge for patent cases in 1991. After my retirement I still work at a few cases on patent law in The Hague District Court.
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