Safeguard your business and IP with a trusted legal partner.
Photo of Ronald J. Tong

Understanding Legal Aspects, Advantages And Processes Of Patents

A patent is a government-granted ability to exclude others from making, selling or offering for sale a patented invention. Any process, machine, composition of matter or manufactured item can be patented so long as it is new and useful. A utility patent application protects rights to the functionality and features of what is patented, as well as the way a product is made. A design application protects rights to the appearance and ornamental features of the product.

For help with patents, intellectual property litigation and all other intellectual property matters, complete an online contact form, call 949-298-6867 or text 949-331-2889 to schedule an initial consultation with Roland Tong, an Irvine area lawyer.

Offering You The Benefits Of Experienced Representation

Roland Tong, Attorney and Partner of Manning, & Kass, Ellrod, Ramirez, Trester LLP is a true patent practitioner. Unlike other intellectual property attorneys who are not admitted to practice before the USPTO, he can represent individuals and businesses before a patent examiner and can assist with all aspects of patent law.

As examples of his past work in this are, he has done the following:

  • Represented many startup companies and assisted them in getting patent pending status, which helped them obtain funding.
  • Represented slot machine and gaming machine manufacturers and assisted them in building their patent portfolios.
  • Assisted a supplier of printer cartridge after-market parts in building and managing their patent portfolio. This provided the products with a competitive edge and made the whole portfolio more attractive, resulting in those products being purchased by a large multinational company.
  • Represented a dental prosthesis manufacturer and assisted in obtaining patents.
  • Assisted others in obtaining patents for a variety of medical devices
  • Obtained patents for various software applications.
  • Assisted various table wagering game developers in obtaining patents.

Guiding You Through The Patent Prosecution And Application Process

If you have an idea or item that you would like to patent, Attorney Roland Tong can guide you through patent prosecution, beginning with a patent search. Once you are sure that your product is unique, he can handle the application process from start to finish and ensure that the application complies with patent statutes and regulations.

Upon filing the application, you will be provided with an automatic patent pending status. This is especially important for startup companies that want to pitch their product or service to investors who look for this status to ensure that barriers to entry are in place and the product is safe from being stolen or copied by others.

Promptly Documenting Conception Of Ideas And Obtaining IP Rights For Them

If you are in a technology company or an innovative business employing engineers and scientists to invent on a daily basis, Attorney Roland Tong can help your company secure ownership of each invention. Attorney Roland Tong has taught various research and development personnel how to properly document the conception of their ideas, and how to obtain priority claim over their inventions.

In many cases, companies fail to capitalize on their inventions and the inventions just remain in the notebooks of their engineers or scientists. Even worse, competitors obtain patent rights on the same invention or one that is similar preventing companies from exercising the invention, even if their employees may have invented it first. Mr. Tong can ensure that the inventions are “harvested” in a timely manner and that the associated exclusive rights are obtained, which can be powerful in the marketplace.

Related IP Protections

Attorney Roland Tong provides full-service IP counsel to companies in matters related to trade secret protection, public disclosure prevention before the filing of patents and more, as described below.

For Companies Vulnerable To Employee Theft Of Technology And Trade Secrets

Employee theft of proprietary technology is rampant and is a big concern, especially when employees bring over the technology to competing companies. Companies have relied on Roland Tong to ensure that the intellectual property rights are owned by the company as opposed to the employee inventor and are assigned to the company. Attorney Roland Tong has also helped companies secure their trade secrets.

Preventing Loss Of IP Rights Through Public Disclosure, Such As At Trade Shows

Many companies have relied on Roland Tong to make sure they preserve their intellectual property rights both in the United States and abroad over products they display during trade shows. Certain countries are absolute novelty countries, which means that if a public disclosure happens before a patent application is filed, the patent rights over the invention are lost. Attorney Roland Tong has helped many companies file provisional applications, utility applications or Patent Cooperation Treaty applications, all of which are geared toward preserving intellectual property rights in the United States and overseas.

Contact An Attorney To Learn More About Patent Law And IP Services

Attorney Roland Tong answers questions about patents and assists entrepreneurs and businesses in Orange County, California, and nationwide. Complete an online contact form, call 949-298-6867 or text 949-331-2889.