Prosecuting Patent Infringement in America Today by Nick Johnson

Patent infringement in America today is increasing tenfold over occurrences even just ten years ago. Technological advancement has led to a significant increase in patent infringement. In some cases, it has resulted in two companies competing for the same basic technological achievement while in other cases it allowed the leaking of information to competitive companies for a handsome fee. Patent infringement is taken very seriously in this country, and the jury awards for the infringed upon are ample proof of how seriously it has surged.

When dealing with issues such as this, juries need to recognize that it is possible for two competitive companies or even individuals to come up with nearly the same invention, especially in the technological field. Patent infringement can occur with or without intent.

If the patent infringement occurred without intent, the behavior of the company or individual after notification that they were impeding on patent laws can determine the jury's outcome. If the response was positive, and the infringing company took immediate action to stop the instance of patent infringement, juries tend to be rather lenient.

However, it is not uncommon for a company to fight the patent infringement if they were not aware of it to begin with or they disagree that they are in violation of patent laws. This is not always considered the wisest technical move when accused of it, but some companies have found themselves in the right. Those who were in the wrong had this plan backfire on them in the court room.

Accusations of it occur more often than actually necessary, as these laws are quite complex. It is possible to believe that another company is in violation of patent infringement laws while in fact they are not. Often it comes down to which way the law decides to split the hair.

A similar invention, or an invention that accomplishes the same goal with an entirely different mechanism, is not necessarily patent infringement. It must meet a set number of requirements, so to speak, in order to be considered actual infringement.

However, if a company comes out with patented software, such as voice recognition software, and another company delivers the exact same software in different packaging, then obviously this is considered patent infringement. However, if the company that released the patented voice recognition software released software that responded to the voice and typed messages and another company released voice recognition software that allowed the consumer to draw, create music and designs, but did not type, this is not necessarily a patent violation.

Whether accusing someone of patent infringement or being accused of the same, the most beneficial idea is to check with a patent infringement lawyer before making any decisions. Patent laws are complex enough that you typically need a specialist to determine what constitutes it and what doesn't. Even when a company is 100% positive that they recognize a patent violation, it still usually takes a specialist to guide the company through the appropriate steps to effectively prosecute a patent law violator.

Patent violations are much more common than most people realize, and often in the past companies believed that a patent completely protected them from patent violations. Within the last ten years, companies have realized the vast amount of patent violations that are currently hitting the market, and naturally have taken greater steps to protect themselves from patent infringement. Many companies employ patent attorneys during the development stages of a new product.

They may also employ a patent infringement attorney to notify their competitors of new patented inventions and projects in order to dissuade them from following suit with their own likeness of the invention or product. Patent violators take a very significant risk if they choose to knowingly violate an existing patent. It is not uncommon for patent infringement cases to end in judgments of upwards of $50 million.

Patent infringement has a higher percentage of prosecution in America today based on better research materials and resources. The incidents of it are becoming more obvious to the victimized company, which naturally takes swift and decisive action against a patent violator.

Patent infringement is by far no joke in this country, and if your company has been accused of a patent violation, you are going to have no choice but to hire the best, present the best case humanly possible, and hope that your company isn't bankrupt at the end of the proceedings.

Author Resource: Nick Johnson, lead counsel and founding partner of Johnson Law Group, represents individuals or companies with cases involving patent infringement. Find more information at: http://www.toppatentinfringementlawyers.com or call 1-888-311-5522

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