Featured News Story: Insights from Patent Engineer Lesley-Ann Knee on Protecting Your Inventions In the fast-paced world of innovation, protecting your intellectual property is critical. Patent engineer Lesley-Ann Knee, who works at Husch Blackwell law firm, provides valuable advice to first-time inventors navigating the patent filing process. Lesley-Ann Knee was introduced to the world of patents by her father, an engineer with several patents to his name, including technologies for industry giants like Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft. Inspired by his experiences, Knee pursued a degree in electrical engineering at Colorado State University and began her career in patent prosecution. Now, working as a patent engineer, she helps inventors write, file, and manage patent applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Knee is also preparing to take the patent bar exam to become a licensed patent agent and eventually a patent attorney. Knee offers important advice for inventors new to the patenting process: 1. Don’t Fear Filing: She reassures that two out of three patent applications are approved by the USPTO. However, it's crucial to file within a year of public disclosure of your invention, or you could be barred from receiving a patent. 2. What Can Be Patented: Patents can be obtained for machines, manufacturing processes, and compositions of matter, but not for atomic weapons, business methods, or scientific principles. 3. First to File System: In the U.S., the patent system operates on a "first to file" basis, meaning the inventor who files first has the best chance of securing the patent, regardless of who developed the idea first. Knee emphasizes the value of patents in today’s intellectual property market. They can serve as collateral for loans, help secure investors for startups, and provide protection against competitors. However, inventors should be cautious when disclosing their inventions publicly or through social media, as doing so before filing could jeopardize their chances of securing a patent. For first-time inventors, Knee advises seeking out a patent attorney or agent for consultations to understand the patentability of their ideas and the steps required to protect them. 👉 You can read the full article about Lesley-Ann Knee’s journey and expert advice on IEEE Spectrum: https://spectrum.ieee.org/patent-engineer-lesley-ann-knee
Posted by InventorNews at 2024-10-17 15:00:11 UTC