Entrepreneurs and inventors often come up with great ideas that they think will be the next great product at home in the United States and around the world. But patenting that Green Bay Packer cheese head beer coolie hat in Germany might not be the best idea – no matter how great your client thinks it will sell.
In this CLE program, Eric Hanscom and Greg Sach highlight key legal and practical points about seeking patent protection in the EU. Eric and Greg will mainly discuss the U.S. patent system, the EU patent system and common pitfalls when seeking patent protection in the EU. Additional subjects covered: the three types of U.S. patents, provisional patent applications in the U.S. & Europe, comparing the cost of U.S. vs. European patents, popular validations in Europe, the unitary patent, typical EPO examination procedures, costs & timelines, added subject matter, intermediate generalizations, novelty & the two categories of prior art, the inventive step, patent ineligible subject matter, methods for treatment and the number of claims.
Eric Hanscom is actively involved in overseeing litigation, contract negotiation and customs issues around the globe over matters ranging from patent and trademark infringement to breach of contract. With over 14 years of experience in the patent profession, Greg Sach has expertise in drafting, prosecution and appeal proceedings for the European Patent Office and he also handles patent applications before the UK and Germany.