| Subject | Date Asked |
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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. ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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: ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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) ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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, ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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| 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 ...
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