Invention involves conception of a useful idea coupled with its reduction to practice. In determining conception, more than a bare idea is required. Conception is the formation in the mind of a definite and permanent idea of the complete and operative invention as it is to be thereafter applied in practice. Reduction to practice is the realization of the idea through the making a of new device or product (or developing a new method of making or using something) or merely developing viable plans or formulas for doing so. In the alternative, “constructive” reduction to practice is achieved by filing a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Read the rest of this entry »

Individuals and businesses in all industries routinely hire consultants to create materials for them.  Examples of materials often outsourced include websites, custom software, brochures, manuals and product literature.  Most purchasers of these items assume that they own all rights to them as soon as they pay for them.  Actually, often times they do not.  Read the rest of this entry »