Obama's New Patent Law: What Does It Mean For Your Startup?

By Heather N. Shafer (Intellectual Property Attorney, Independent) With a swift stroke of his pen, President Obama signed the America Invents Act last week that will overhaul the U.S. patent system. What should be of interest to startups and entrepreneurs everywhere...
Happy Business Marriage Part 1: The Background Check

Happy Business Marriage Part 1: The Background Check

By Heather N. Shafer (Intellectual Property Attorney, Independent) The creative endeavor is one of the most beautiful relationships that two or more people can enter into together. Creative ventures thrive on collaboration and there is no law against how many can join...

Top 5 Ways to Blow Your Startup's Possible Patent Protection

By Heather N. Shafer (Intellectual Property Attorney, Independent) The surprised and dejected look on clients’ faces when we tell them their invention is no longer eligible for patent protection is not one a patent attorney likes to experience. The look morphs between...