Intellectual Property

The Goolsby Law Firm represents individuals and corporate clients in patent and intellectual property (IP) litigation in Panola County, Upshur County, Marion County, and throughout Northeast Texas.  

Whether you are an individual patent holder or a corporation with a large patent portfolio, you understand that the federal courts in the Eastern District of Texas have extensive expertise in adjudicating patent and intellectual property disputes.  At the Goolsby Law Firm, we are currently actively involved in IP cases in the Marshall division of the Eastern District of Texas as local counsel and assisting trial counsel, and our breadth of experience in these courts allows us to give clients access to insight and guidance in all stages of intellectual property litigation. 

FAQs

Intellectual property litigation can be lengthy and complex, involving intricate legal principles and requiring an in-depth understanding of the underlying technology.  The Goolsby Law Firm provides the following answers to frequently asked questions as a resource for our clients and others seeking information about this area of law:

What kinds of patents are there?

There are three types of patents: utility, design, and plant.  Utility patents are for inventions or discoveries of new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions of matter.  Design patents are for inventions of new, original, and ornamental designs for articles of manufacture.  Plant patents are for inventions or discoveries of distinct and new varieties of plants. 

What is the process for obtaining a patent?

The general steps for obtaining a patent include:

• Search the national patent database to see if your idea has already been patented.
• Find out the current fee.
• Apply for your patent using the electronic filing system.
• Check on the status of your application.
• If necessary, appeal the decisions made on your patent application with the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (BPAI).
• If applicable, assign ownership of your patent.
• Assuming your patent is granted, maintain it by paying maintenance fees.

More information about obtaining a patent can be found on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website.

Experienced Patent Infringement Litigation Attorneys

We provide high-quality legal representation to individuals and corporations involved in patent litigation throughout the courts of Northeast Texas.  To discuss your case with an experienced patent attorney, contact the Goolsby Law Firm today.