Chamber Amplified Podcast with Patent Attorney Jake Ward – Protect Your Idea: Navigating the Patent Process
Protect Your Idea: Navigating the Patent Process
FRI, 21 JUN 2024 00:00:00 -0400 ◦ 20 MINUTES
About the Guest:
Jake Ward is a patent attorney with extensive experience in intellectual property law. He is a partner at Ward Law Office, a boutique firm that offers legal solutions for inventors and businesses. Jake also teaches patent law and practice at the University of Toledo College of Law.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Chamber Amplified from the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Doug Jenkins talks with patent attorney Jake Ward about the intricacies of protecting intellectual property. From understanding the difference between patents and trademarks to navigating the complex and often lengthy patent application process, this episode delves into the steps entrepreneurs need to take to secure their ideas.
Key Takeaways:
- Necessity of Patents: Patents provide the exclusive right to exclude others from making, using, selling, or importing an invention, which is essential for maintaining a competitive edge in the market.
- Complexity of the Process: The patent application process is lengthy, rigorous, and often requires professional expertise to navigate successfully.
- Different Types of Intellectual Property: Beyond patents, businesses should consider trademarks and copyrights to protect their brand and creative works.
- Importance of Being First: The U.S. operates on a first-inventor-to-file basis, meaning the timing of your patent application is crucial.
- Real-World Examples: Stories like the Wright brothers’ initial patent rejection illustrate the importance of using professionals in the patent process.
Resources:
- Ward Law Office: wardpatent.com
- Email Jake Ward: jake@wardpatent.com
- Contact Phone: 419-408-5500
Executive Assistant at Ward Law Office, Full-time Remote Position
Ward Law Office LLC (WLO) is a virtual “IP boutique” law firm with attorneys and staff located in a dozen states, and with physical offices in Ohio and Michigan.
WLO has an immediate opening for an Executive Assistant with 2+ years’ experience in IP email management. This position will report to the Business Manager and will assist the docketing department with all inbound and outbound communication of the law firm. The ideal candidate has experience in Microsoft Office Suite, efficiently managing a high volume of emails, and excellent communication and organizational skills. Familiarity with legal forms, docketing practices, patent and trademark procedures, and a willingness to assist our rapidly growing firm in other legal tasks, is also preferred. This is a full-time remote position with opportunities for training and advancement in a fast-paced and rewarding environment.
The firm represents a wide variety of clients ranging from independent inventors to Fortune 500 companies, in many different industries and technologies. The firm was founded to provide high quality patent and trademark services while also being flexible to meet the unique needs of our clients. Our passion is helping and educating inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. If you share this passion, we are the right firm for you.
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter to Kristi Ward, Firm Administrator, at kristi@wardpatent.com. For more information about the firm, applicants are encouraged to visit our website at http://www.wardpatent.com.The ideal candidate will provide top-level assistance for high level executives. They should be well-organized and be comfortable scheduling meetings and responding to emails on the executive’s behalf. Lastly, this individual should be able to draft documents and help the executive with any necessary meeting preparations.
LTU establishing National Academy of Inventors Chapter.
The intellectual property law firm of Ward Law Office LLC is a proud sponsor of this new chapter of the National Academy of Inventors at Lawrence Technological University. Press release below and very exciting news indeed!
SOUTHFIELD—Lawrence Technological University is in the process of establishing a new chapter of the National Academy of Inventors.
NAI is a nonprofit membership organization based in Tampa, Fla., formed in 2010 at the University of South Florida to encourage inventors in academia.
NAI now has more than 4,600 individual members, including NAI Fellows, Senior Members, and Chapter Members, affiliated with approximately 260 institutions—U.S. and international universities, governmental agencies, and nonprofit research institutes—worldwide. Fellows must be named as an inventor on at least one United States patent and are selected by the NAI Fellows Committee.
The formation of the LTU NAI chapter was spearheaded by longtime LTU engineering technology professor Ken Cook, holder of some 25 U.S. patents. Cook, whose teaching career at LTU spanned seven decades, passed away March 21 at the age of 82.
The members admitted to LTU’s chapter will be comprised of the University’s most prolic inventors, encompassing alumni, faculty, students and friends.
LTU President Tarek M. Sobh said the formation of the chapter is meant to honor Cook’s memory, to help recognize LTU’s inventors and innovators, and to encourage LTU faculty to pursue U.S. patents for the innovations they create through the university’s growing reserach effort.
“Ken Cook was a prolific inventor, and we have many other true innovators among our distinguished faculty, students, and alumni community,” Sobh said. “We believe an NAI chapter at LTU is a natural extension of our increasing level of research sophistication.”
An informational meeting for all those who would be interested in participating in an LTU NAI chapter will be held as part of the University’s annual Research Day, Friday, April 19. The meeting will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. in Room M336 of the LTU Buell Building, building 5 at http://www.ltu.edu/map.
The chapter is sponsored by the intellectual property law firm Ward Law Office LLC, with offices in Southfield and Tiffin, Ohio.
Organizers plan to conduct two meetings per year, nominate members for national recognition, share member success stories, educate the community on patent pursuit, and send LTU chapter representatives to the NAI’s annual national conference.
https://www.ltu.edu/content/news/ltu-establishing-national-academy-of-inventors-chapter
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