What are your patent enforcement rights? As stated in 35 US Code 154(a)(1), every patent contains “a grant to the patentee ... of the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States or importing the invention into the United States...”. But read these words carefully. A patent is not, as many people believe, the right of an inventor to use his or her invention; it is the right of an inventor to exclude or prevent others from using the patented invention − the right to enforce the patent if patent infringement occurs.

Patent enforcement is a complex undertaking Patent enforcement is very complicated. Patent holders have the burden of proving infringement. And litigation costs are prohibitively high, especially if you are in individual or a small business. A patent infringer with deep pockets, such as a large corporation, has significant advantages over an individual inventor or small business. That’s why it’s important to have a well-financed partner that can cover the costs of a patent infringement lawsuit. Click for more information on Patent Enforcement.