5
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How to protect an app whose functionality is not novel, but the GUI is
Although design patents might be a good way to go, you may be able to gain some measure of protection for your gui with copyright. The pdf found here provides more information than I can provide in ...
- 10.9k
2
votes
Mobile application
If you can document that you presented the patented claims in public prior to the filing by the patent holder, your presentations can be used as prior art to invalidate their patent. This will likely ...
- 131
2
votes
Accepted
Government app idea
Your best bet for a situation like this is to speak with a patent professional in your area. Patents aren't something to be taken lightly--they're typically an expensive and time-consuming venture.
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- 1,149
2
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If I patent my idea for an APP, can I then sell it to people with the resources to implement it?
As the Europeist stated in a comment, ideas really aren't patentable, inventions are. The difference is that an invention describes how the idea is implemented. A silly example would be that someone ...
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2
votes
Accepted
Is it possible to protect an app (somehow)?
An app might be protected by copyright and/or by patent as well as trademark. This site focuses only on patents; you might get good information at law.stackexchange.com on copyrights and trademarks.
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- 28.6k
2
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Can a backend algorithm be patented?
Yes - a process that is not externally visible can be patented. Most manufacturing process are not externally visible. While a patent must show how to use the invention, a later, optimized, ...
- 28.6k
2
votes
requirements to patent an algorithm of app
Often wisdom is found in the converse of the question as posed: If a competitor simply randomly selects a match between pet-owners & pet-walkers, then that competitor likely has bypassed your ...
- 371
2
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How to protect an app whose functionality is not novel, but the GUI is
Others have mentioned design patents and copyright. Those are worth considering. Remember that your published work is automatically protected by copyright, but registering the copyright simplifies any ...
- 171
1
vote
Accepted
Can a backend algorithm be patented?
You also embedded a second question:
Is there any reason to patent this algorithm, since nobody will know
hows its done anyways?
If the code is truly not reverse engineerable, then there is not much ...
- 10.9k
1
vote
requirements to patent an algorithm of app
Processes can be patented. The law is "any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof". A serious of steps is a process ...
- 28.6k
1
vote
Why didn't Uber's patents prevent Lyft from existing?
This answer is my own speculation and interpretation, not based on any inside knowledge at Lyft nor from any litigation. Patents are only as good as their claims, especially their independent claims. ...
- 371
1
vote
Can I make an App that looks like snapchat?
You've linked two design patents. Design patents cover the ornamental design of functional items. You need to look at the figures in the design patents listed. Google Patents is good for this:
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- 10.9k
1
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US App Developer Patent Troll Avoidance Checklist -- To Release In The USA or not?
Yes, You are an infringer under the statue USC 271(f) even if you dont supply for US market the statue language is quoted for your reference
(1) Whoever without authority supplies or causes to be ...
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1
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Accepted
US App Developer Patent Troll Avoidance Checklist — If a mobile app is free (donation only), does that indemnify against patent trolls?
No, patent infringement does not require making money on the infringing activity. It would probably affect the damages calculation, but giving away something that the inventor was selling might take ...
- 28.6k
1
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Mobile application Social network module patents
Will I face any issue related patent or copyright problems?
This is very hard to say. Almost certainly you should be prepared to do a patent search. Developing within, say Xcode, using the built in ...
- 10.9k
1
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When to submit a patent idea?
Typically, one would file a Provisional patent before pursuing a Non-Provisional patent. The requirements for the successful submission of a Provisional Patent are listed on the USPTO.gov website ...
1
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Protecting App UI & Features
You need to first find a patent agent to do prior art search and determine if your invention is patent-able. The patent law regarding software patent is an intensely debated issue and therefore a ...
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