http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers-search/patent-infringement.html Avvo.com - Patent Infringement Questions http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/if-i-make-lenses-that-are-the-same-shape-as-lenses-166538.html Are lenses in sunglasses protected by patents or are just the frames? Would l have to get permission from the company to make lenses that people can switch with the lenses currently in their Ray Bans? Isn't it just like making a new windshield for a car or new mouse for a computer...I shouldn't need permission from the company? I will not be copying their frames or using their name/logo. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:40:32 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/does-a-federal-trademark-supercede-a-california-st-166294.html Who will get the rights to use a name in California? Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:09:38 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/is-it-a-trademark-issue-if-my-company-name-sounds--165846.html I've replaced the actual names with fake names.... I would like to name my company Fakeri. This is somewhat similar to another company that was once called Fake Supplies. Fake Supplies changed their name to XYZ Corp. about 2 years ago. We are in the same industry but provide different services. When I google my name of choice (Fakeri), Fake Supplies comes up but is listed as XYZ Corp. I'm assuming this is to help people who still know them as Fake Supplies find them. Am I still treading on thin ice or since this company no longer exists am I pretty safe? Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:03:01 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/how-can-a-new-patent-be-approved-if-it-infringes-o-165575.html These two patents appears to cover the same thing: 5691932 7522477 How can the more recent one have been approved and even reference the earlier one? Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:27:35 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/iphone-software-and-existing-hardware-patents-165507.html Have written an iPhone application. Have been contacted regarding the application by a lawyer representing someone with a patent (very broad wording in the patent) for a hardware device which has similar features to the iPhone application. Do hardware patents apply to software? What options do we have? Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:30:01 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/if-i-offer-my-product-for-free-can-someone-still-c-165495.html If I make a widget that may or may not in fact be infringing on a patent and offer that product for free is that widget still able to be claimed as a patent infringement? Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:19:10 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/i-ve-invented-a-new-card-game---how-do-i-go-about--164093.html I have invented a new card gane (non-standard deck), and I want to protect myself against lawsuits from game companies, which on the whole seem very willing to take legal action at the drop of a hat. My concern is that the rules of my game are a take off of another game in terms of the basic method of play. I have added a lot on to change the hazards/advantages in terms of playing certain cards, greatly increasing the strategy element and decreasing the luck and tedium factors in the original game. I know this must be hard to answer without my disclosing all of the rules details, but can you please guide me as to what factors go into the llitigation of cases based on rules similarities? I am struggling to understand at what point a game based on another game becomes legally unique. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:13:33 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/if-i-add-something-to-an-existing-product-and-sell-163181.html More specifically, adding a physical element to a product so that it can do what it was designed for in a whole new environment and serve purposes that were not intended for the original product. If infringement, can I offer the alteration/addition as a service as long as I offer my own warranty, return policy etc on the product as a whole? Product name would be “original name with alteration name.” Thank you. Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:27:55 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/are-there-actions-suspicious--161818.html I recently contacted a major Corporation and asked if I could forward a presentation on my Patent which is a completely new product for this field, to which they replied yes. I directed the presentation to the head of their resarch and development division. Although they recieved the presentation a month ago they have failed to respond or acknowlege that they have recieved it even after an courtesy email from myself requesting they do so. Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:41:25 PST http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/is-the-law-firm-working-on-my-patent--contingency--161497.html I have a U.S. patent 6966942 Process for purifying exhaust gases by employing a bubble generator. I have done allot of research on the mater and am confident that these company's making oil from algae are infringing my patent. After contacting this law firm, they have been working on my patent for about a year (on a contingency). About four months ago they sent my patent info to another law firm which is supposedly more specialized with claims in the matter. I haven't actually talked to an attorney from either law firm, and I haven't been able to get word on the status of the review for two months, despite my calling and asking for an update on the status of the review every two weeks. Should I just be patient and wait, knowing that these things can take years? Thanks Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:16:55 PST