Can service ideas be patented so no one can copy your busines? If it is the first paid type of service that was ever created.

It depends on how the idea is being implemented. Talk with a patent attorney to determine if this idea might be patentable. Ideas can be...

I have two great ideas and have searched for the product and do not see it nor on the patent search site. How does one turn an

Ideas can be patentable, but not all ideas. Check out the blog post below that provides some insight on whether your idea might be patentable and...

The market for biotech patent attorneys is really limited and candidates typically need a PhD or at least a masters to be competitive. I had...

I am a PHD student in Biomedical Engineering, but love patent law. What is the best way for me to get involved in the field?

Take the patent bar now and become a "patent agent." It's possible to practice in that capacity or go to law school and then become a "patent...

Can I patent a phone application?

Software and phone applications can be patentable, but not always. The following blog post helps with determining whether your idea will be...

Do I need to check for existing patents and / or apply for a patent when starting an online business?

The others have it right - this is not likely patentable. The following blog post has some insight making this determination before moving forward.:

A public disclosure of your product would likely be considered prior art. However, it's unlikely that a patent Examiner would know about this...

The folks above have it right. I'll include the specific language from the USPTO below just for fun: "If a joint inventor refuses to join in an...

I created some characters (stuffed animals) from a published book series I wrote, what steps do I take to protect my characters?

Patent protection is not likely applicable. This blog post helps identify why:

I told my class mates about a business idea and they may copy it can I make them sign a NDA?

If the business idea is a product or process, it might be patentable. That's one possible way of protecting it. The following blog post has...