We start patent prosecution by collaborating with your inventors to get a thorough understanding of each invention. Because we are scientists and engineers ourselves with advanced degrees and work experience in technology, we speak the language of your inventors. This minimizes the use of inventor time, makes the disclosure process more collegial for inventors, and encourages inventors to submit more invention disclosures in the future. Because we’re scientists and engineers, we’re able to ask the right questions. When our analysis reveals that there is more than one discrete invention, we can provide summaries and recommendations on which inventions to pursue.
Having a full understanding of each invention enables us to draft high-quality applications, including both the patent claims and the support in the figures and written specification. To measure patent quality, the gold standard is to assess what would happen in hypothetical future litigation. We draft both broad claims, to capture a wide range of infringers, as well as narrower claims, to provide a backstop against later invalidity challenges. Our claim language is also simple and clear, focusing on technical functionality rather than legalisms. Clarity of language facilitates proving any subsequent infringement and reduces the cost of proving that infringement.
As scientists and engineers, we can collaborate with patent examiners to secure optimal patent rights. In particular, we meet with patent examiners to help them understand each invention and to address their questions and concerns. When necessary, we also use the appeal process. Our success on appeal is quite high because of our extensive experience in litigation, based on many previous appeals.
To extend our reach globally, we have established working relationships with top patent associates throughout the world. We oversee all of that for you, including the substantive patent work and billing. We effectively operate like a global law firm from our office in Silicon Valley.
Our patent work is supported by a top docketing team to ensure that we comply with all the rules and meet all of the deadlines. Our team is led by a docketing manager with more than 20 years of experience in Big Law, managing Silicon Valley patent dockets.