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The Law Office of Van R. Irion

… offers practical, effective and aggressive representation in the areas of:

  • Intellectual Property Protection Strategies
  • Patent Drafting and Patent Prosecution
  • Business Transactions and Litigation
  • Personal Injury
  • Civil Litigation

We strive to provide prompt, passionate, and professional legal representation in every situation by thoroughly understanding the facts and legal issues that create your individual or business need for an attorney.

Whether you need a Knoxville patent attorney, business lawyer, or representation in any other civil matter, our office is here to help. Please contact us today to discuss your legal needs.

“Well, I don’t know as I want a lawyer to tell me what I cannot do. I hire him to tell how to do what I want to do.” J. P. Morgan

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Patent Application Process for the First-Time Inventor

Many first-time inventors are not aware that obtaining a patent is an adversarial process. As a result, they are surprised when their patent application is initially rejected by the Patent Office. This has led many first-time inventors to give up on their patent application. Examiners at the Patent Office see their job as protecting the …

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Patent Filing Fees of the USPTO

It depends. According to the current USPTO Fee Schedule, the patent filing fees to file a patent is $280 for a basic Utility Patent and $180 each for a basic Design or Plant Patent. To file a Provisional Patent Application the fee is $260. However, if you qualify as a “Small Entity” fees are reduced …

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Why File a Patent?

The enumerated powers in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution empowers the United States Congress to: “To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries.”   Fundamentally, the unique ideas of inventors are property …

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What Is The Cost to File a Patent Application?

The costs to file a patent application involve attorney expertise in preparing the application and filing fees. Filing fees, which are paid to the US Patent Office, are significantly lower than the cost of preparing the application. Preparing a patent application requires describing the invention, describing the existing publicly known technology similar to the invention, …

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What Is The Difference Between Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Servicemarks?

A granted patent gives its owner “the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling” or “importing” the new and useful invention in the United States. There are three types of patents: Utility, Design and Plant. A trademark (or servicemark) is a word, name, symbol, or device that is used in …

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Can I Patent My Idea?

Anyone who “invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvements thereof, may obtain a patent.” US Patent Law Several factors determine whether or not an idea is patentable including whether the invention is truly new, is useful and non-obvious. Processes, machinery, compositions of …

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Copyright Law – In Brief

Copyright Law protects authors of “original works of authorship” and is provided by the laws of the United States (Title 17, U. S. Code). This protection extends to both published and unpublished works including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. The owner of the copyright has the exclusive right to (or authorize others to): Reproduce the …

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Patent Applications – What You Should Know About “First-To-File”

Ideas should belong to inventors. Until March 2013, United States Patent Law protected inventors through the “first to invent” rule. Under the “first to invent” rule, when two or more inventors filed a patent application for the same invention, the patent office would award the patent to the inventor who was first to conceive and …

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Which Type of Patent Application Should I File?

There are essentially three types of patents: Utility, Design and Plant. A Utility Patent is “issued for the invention of a new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or a new and useful improvement thereof.” If granted, its owner may exclude others from making, using, or selling the invention for a period …

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What is a Provisional Patent Application?

Provisional patent applications allow the inventor to establish an early effective filing date by filing a simpler version of a non-provisional application for a patent. Once filed, the inventor may apply the term “Patent Pending” to their invention. Provisional applications may only be filed for Utility and Plant patent applications. Benefits of filing provisional patent …

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Patent Application Process for the First-Time InventorPatent Filing Fees of the USPTOWhy File a Patent?What Is The Cost to File a Patent Application?What Is The Difference Between Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Servicemarks?Can I Patent My Idea?Copyright Law – In BriefPatent Applications – What You Should Know About “First-To-File”Which Type of Patent Application Should I File?What is a Provisional Patent Application?