Friday, February 28, 2014

Legal Alert: Patent Enforcement UPDATE

Legal Alert:

A group in has received a patent from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office covering a commonly-used process for removing moisture from lumber in unfinished construction.  A copy of a patent assertion from this company is linked below.

If you receive a patent assertion from this company, please contact your HBA Office at 865-254-0133 or email info@hbaofgreenville.com.  We are working with the HBA of Oregon and NAHB to facilitate a challenge to this patent.

Click here to view a copy of the patent assertion received by an HBA member in Oregon.

UPDATE:

Did you know that NAHB monitors patent applications for residential building designs and subdivision layouts that are pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to reduce the likelihood that members will have to pay costly patent infringement fines.

Since 1998, the NAHB Design Committee and NAHB staff have monitored the US Patent and Trademark Office’s issue of the granting of patents to residential building designs and subdivision layouts to better ensure that such patents are properly issued.

Anyone can apply for a patent with an idea, concept or invention that is unique, novel and non-obvious. In addition, anyone can be affected by a patent that was granted for an idea, concept or invention that is not. A patent holder can enforce receipt of royalties and/or can sue for patent infringement if a patented design or plan is already built; therefore, improperly issued patents can involve substantial costs for building industry professionals.

Click here to read the summary reports of patent applications.

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