Klarquist represents clients in all facets of patent practice. Whether you are seeking patent protection for novel innovations in technology, new aesthetic designs, or new varieties of plants, we can help you obtain the patent protection you need.
Utility Patents
Our Patent Group takes pride in understanding our clients’ various technologies. This knowledge is crucial to having a strong patent practice and sets Klarquist apart. All of our patent attorneys and patent agents hold a degree in one or more technical or scientific disciplines, and are registered to practice before the USPTO. More than 45% of our patent attorneys have Ph.D.’s or other advanced degrees (and, in many instances, substantial prior professional experience) in their area of expertise.
We Understand Your Technology
Our attorneys have backgrounds in biotechnology, computer science, chemistry, engineering, medicine, and more. And we have experience preparing and prosecuting patents in a wide variety of technical areas, including:
- Agriculture & Food Science
- Chemical
- Consumer Products
- Electrical & Semiconductors
- Green Technology & Renewable Energy
- Life Sciences & Biotechnology
- Mechanical
- Medical Devices & Diagnostics
- Mobile Devices & Applications
- Nanotechnology
- Physics & Optics
- Plants
- Software & Internet Technology
From Universities and Governmental Agencies to Companies of All Sizes, We Meet Your Needs
Our experienced patent prosecutors understand the patent system and work with you every step of the way to develop the right patent portfolio. We provide each client the same level of care, whether their patent portfolio is just one patent or numbers in the thousands. Our clients appreciate our attention to detail, our practical and cost-conscious approach, and our deep understanding of both the law and the science.
Klarquist represents a broad range of clients throughout the United States and the world, from solo inventors, mid-size companies, universities, and governmental agencies to Fortune 500 companies. Some of our clients have been with us for more than half a century.
We also represent a large number of universities and government agencies (including the NIH and CDC) and provide high-quality, cost-effective representation that is mindful of the budgetary constraints of these institutions. Our Patent Group works with the technology transfer office to fully understand the goals of the institution with regard to a particular project, then work with the institution to set an appropriate budget for the project and determine the most efficient means to stay within the budget. In addition, because many of our patent prosecutors have advanced degrees in technology, we communicate well with the innovators and researchers that are the inventors of patent applications filed by universities and government agencies. Below are just some of the universities and governmental agencies that we represent.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- National Institutes of Health
- Oregon Health & Science University
- Oregon State University
- Portland State University
- University of Arizona
- University of Idaho
- University of Oregon
- University of Pittsburgh
- Washington State University
Patent Protection Throughout the World
In today’s world of borderless economies, international patent protection can be vital to your business. At Klarquist, we have extensive experience filing and prosecuting international applications throughout the world. We work closely with carefully-selected foreign associates that provide high-quality and cost-effective representation to formulate the right international filing strategy that meets our clients’ needs.
Our Patent Group has prosecuted patents to issuance in almost every WIPO country, but most commonly in Europe, Japan, Australia, Canada, China, India, Singapore, Korea, Mexico, Brazil, Columbia, Russia, and South Africa. When appropriate we also take advantage of regional patents, such as the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO). When requested by clients, we also actively participate in foreign Oral Proceedings and Opposition Proceedings, including, for example, such proceedings that are available before the European Patent Office.
If you are interested in obtaining patent protection outside of the United States, we can help.
Design Patents
Our experienced attorneys can help you obtain design patent protection for a wide variety of products. Design patent protection covers the novel ornamental appearance of an article. Smart phone housings, drill bits, apparel, cassettes for analyzers and wound dressings are just some examples of subject matter amenable to design patent protection. Often such products can be protected by both utility and design patents. For example, a new tool or instrument may have a novel ornamental appearance protectable in a design patent, as well as novel technical features protectable in a utility patent.
In some cases, important design aspects worthy of protection emerge while evaluating inventions for utility patent protection. In other cases, it is known from the outset that only design protection is of interest. For example, the utilitarian features may be known, but the ornamental appearance may be new and considered valuable. Filing a design patent application can also be a cost-effective strategy to achieving “patent pending” status and a “patented” status more promptly than in a utility application. On average, around 90% of U.S. design applications are issued, and about 50% are issued within one year.
The experienced attorneys in Klarquist’s Design Patent Group can advise you as to whether design patent protection is available for your new product and, importantly, help you decide whether such protection is suitable to meet your business objectives.
Plant Patents
Klarquist has comprehensive experience in preparing plant patent applications as well as utility patents directed to agriculture and AgBiotech technologies. Our agriculture team prosecutes large portfolios of plant and agricultural biotechnology utility applications for government, academic, and corporate clients. Professionals in this team have broad experience and knowledge in plant science, including plant physiology, plant molecular biology and genetics (including genetic engineering of higher and lower plants), enhancement of plant and seed characteristics, secondary metabolites, biofuel production, hormone action, plant tissue culture, plant breeding, yeast protein and metabolite trafficking, plant disease, and pest resistance.
In addition, our agriculture group is well-known nationally and internationally for its work involving plant patents and related intellectual property matters. Klarquist is among a select few law firms in the United States that obtains a substantial number of plant patents each year for our clients. Our experience in this practice area extends over decades. We represent a number of growers and breeders of plants, ranging from ornamental flowering plants (such as roses) to fruit trees, ornamental trees, grasses and shrubs. We have served these clients in obtaining United States plant patents and have worked with foreign associates in assisting clients to obtain Plant Breeders’ Rights Certificates in foreign countries and regions. We have also prepared numerous license agreements and assignments for plant patent owners, and assist clients in protecting trademarks for use in connection with plants.
For more information about Klarquist’s Patent Services, explore the biographies of the Team Members in this practice group or fill out our web inquiry form so that we can direct you to an appropriate member.