This forum is no longer operational. Here are the New Forums.

Re: Knock-off?

[ The Intellectual Property Law Server ]
[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Patent Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Ned Ericson on June 23, 2001 at 19:50:54:

In Reply to: Knock-off? posted by Bruce Wood on June 21, 2001 at 10:35:09:

It sounds like you have a home run: patent, copyright and trademark issues, all in one. It's unlikely that your competitor (the one you're flattering) has patent protection for the interface if it's standard (and it sounds like it). But it's possible there's an application filed on other features that you won't know about for years.

More worrisome are the copyright issues. The competitor's handheld interface is probably protected by copyright. It may be easier to alter the interface, but I realize that this hard to demand at this stage. The "look and feel" field of law is still full of landmines.

I threw in trademark (and maybe trade dress) because it sounds like you're trying to make your product as similar as possible to your competitor's. Better check what else is similar to avoid TM and TD problems.

This involves so many issues that you'll want to consult with an IP attorney. Expect a big bill before you have peace of mind on this one.

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject: Re: Re: Knock-off?

Comments:
: It sounds like you have a home run: patent, copyright and trademark issues, all in one. It's unlikely that your competitor (the one you're flattering) has patent protection for the interface if it's standard (and it sounds like it). But it's possible there's an application filed on other features that you won't know about for years. : More worrisome are the copyright issues. The competitor's handheld interface is probably protected by copyright. It may be easier to alter the interface, but I realize that this hard to demand at this stage. The "look and feel" field of law is still full of landmines. : I threw in trademark (and maybe trade dress) because it sounds like you're trying to make your product as similar as possible to your competitor's. Better check what else is similar to avoid TM and TD problems. : This involves so many issues that you'll want to consult with an IP attorney. Expect a big bill before you have peace of mind on this one.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

Do not disclose any details of any patent idea. See a lawyer.
Before you post a message you must agree to the Terms of Use.

This is the Old Patent Forum. It is no longer operational.
Click Here to go to the New Forums.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110

www.intelproplaw.com

The Intellectual Property Law Server

Old Patent Forum

Re: Knock-off?

This is the Old Patent Forum. It is no longer operational. Click Here to go to the New Forums.

This is the Old Patent Forum. It is no longer operational.
Click Here to go to the New Forums.