LED light bulbs are becoming more and more commonplace due to their smaller size, brighter output, and cost-saving efficiency. However, patenting lights such as LED lights can be challenging.
While it may seem like the best way to protect an invention is to keep it secret, keeping inventions secret doesn’t make them more useful. Patents are a way to encourage inventors to share their inventions, so others can benefit. Patents can be described as a form of intellectual property. They are similar to copyrights, trademarks, and design rights.
The patent is a compromise between society and the inventor. In exchange for the inventor disclosing his/her invention, the state grants him the right to stop others from using his/her invention for a specified period of time (generally 20 years). This right is often viewed as a legal monopoly.
LED lights (or Light Emitting Diodes) are a type lighting technology that uses semiconductors to produce light. LED lights are a popular choice because they can be used in a wide variety of lighting applications. They are energy-efficient and long-lasting.
Some key benefits and features of LED lights are: Energy efficiency, Long life expectancy, Durability,Versatility, Instant-on, LED lights have a low heat output, which makes them safer and more efficient to use in enclosed spaces.
LED lights can be used in many settings including homes, businesses and outdoor spaces. You can choose from a variety of sizes and styles, including tubes, strips, panels and tubes. This makes them versatile and adaptable lighting solutions.
This article will provide some advice on how to go about it successfully.
Patentability
One of the most fascinating developments in lighting technology is how LEDs are being utilized creatively. From lights that can be integrated into buildings and other structures to lights placed unexpectedly, LED technology continues to expand exponentially. It’s no wonder why this has been such a revolutionary development!
LED patents are becoming more and more commonplace, such as the one recently issued to a Norton Shores-based company for an all-in-one light that can be used for machine vision applications. Called the DoAll light, this all-inclusive unit incorporates both dome light and multiple ring lights into one device that can be mounted on robots or other automation systems.
Light can be directed at various parts of the assembly and reflected off a specialized aluminum substrate, helping to dissipate heat produced by LEDs.
Canon has also filed a patent for an LED light that can be included in the pop-up flash of digital SLR cameras. This design provides continuous illumination while shooting video, making it useful for vloggers or anyone needing to capture footage at night or when working in dim environments.
This is an inventive and intriguing idea, and it could be the ideal solution for those who need to shoot video in dark areas where other lights aren’t available. It would especially come in handy for vloggers recording on-location interviews or taking videos without proper illumination.
University of California Santa Barbara has amassed a portfolio of patents for LED filament light bulbs that look like Thomas Edison’s famous glass bulbs with glowing filaments. These products are sold in residential, commercial, and industrial settings worldwide and often referred to as “Edison” or “vintage” LED light bulbs.
These patents cover a broad range of LED configurations, from bulbs with multiple filaments to those featuring several long filaments. This patented technology marks an important development in the energy-saving, environmentally friendly LED market.
Design patents
As the light bulb industry continues to progress and become less dependent on traditional incandescent bulbs, many manufacturers are taking advantage of new technologies like LEDs to develop products that are both energy efficient and safer. One way manufacturers can safeguard their innovations is by filing design patents for their new items.
Design patents are used to safeguard the aesthetic of an invention and are more cost-effective and accessible than utility patents. Furthermore, design patents last 14 years without renewal fees, providing long-term security for your investment.
The initial step in filing for a design patent is to create either an artistic rendering or photograph of the claimed design. These must meet all disclosure requirements set out in 35 U.S.C. 112, including enough views to reveal all details of the claimed artwork.
This step is crucial, as the design of your product that you wish to patent will determine if you’re successful in protecting your idea. Failing to meet drawing disclosure requirements may lead to rejection by an examiner.
Due to the lengthy and intricate nature of the patent process, it is wise to hire a professional draftsperson who specializes in design patents. Furthermore, you would benefit from having access to an experienced patent attorney with knowledge of this type of intellectual property protection.
Another important consideration is how competitors may alter the appearance of a competing product to avoid infringement. By filing multiple design patents, you can create an infrastructure that makes it harder for competitors to create versions of your product that look similar enough for legal review but doesn’t violate any laws.
Likewise, if your system consists of multiple components that need protection under a design patent, filing these applications separately rather than as one single assembly can give you additional ammunition in case a competitor’s infringement attempts prove successful.
Utility patents
Utility patents are essential types of patents that safeguard new inventions and improvements to existing ones. This type of patent typically becomes the first choice for inventors, covering various products, machines, processes, and compositions of matter.
To apply for a utility patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), you must file an application. The USPTO reviews each patent application to guarantee it meets certain criteria as being novel, useful, and non-obvious. Furthermore, they require detailed information about your invention.
In order to properly patent your invention, a detailed description of your invention and claim language that explains how it functions must be included in the application. A patent attorney can assist in drafting these elements if needed.
Additionally, you should include drawings to illustrate the key features of your invention. These can take the form of photos, ink drawings or sketches. If submitting photographs, make sure they are labeled properly and included with other materials in the application package.
A utility patent may last 20 years from its filing date, and maintenance fees must be paid every 3 1/2, 7 1/2 and 11 1/2 years to keep your patent active. Failure to pay these fees can result in either expiration or revocation of your patent.
If you are unfamiliar with the patenting process, it is best to hire a patent lawyer from the beginning to fill out your application. Doing this ensures that no important details are overlooked and saves you time and money in the long run.
Before applying for a patent, consider filing a provisional utility application. This will guarantee your place in line for one year and provide you with a priority filing date. Filing this route is more cost-effective than filing non-provisional patents and allows you to test whether your invention is viable before investing time and resources on more complex non-provisional utility patent applications.
When crafting your provisional application, you can utilize free templates or other resources to accurately represent your invention. You could even download a free utility patent application example as an aid in crafting one of your own. Using a template helps define the scope of your invention more precisely and makes writing claims for non-provisional patent applications much simpler.
Trademarks
Patenting lights, including LED lights, is an effective way to safeguard your intellectual property and ensure others do not use your name or similar marks in the same industry. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) divides trademarks into 45 classes; you may want to apply for your mark under a class related to your business activity.
The most common form of trademark is a word or phrase that accurately represents your product, and you can register it in this format. However, the USPTO also recognizes other forms of trademarks like symbols and logos so you have the option to file for one that’s more unique to your brand.
MaxLite, a company that manufactures lights suitable for many uses, recently patented an innovative method of controlling RGB lights with sound waves. This could be useful when creating light shows that match the music.
Another invention which has received patent protection is a system for altering the color temperature of a light source by altering its LED output. This innovation could prove especially helpful to photographers or vloggers.
This ingenious invention would enable video shooters to adjust the lighting for a scene, making it simpler to capture natural-looking shots. It’s an innovative idea with potential wide application.
It is essential to be mindful that this invention requires special consideration when filing for a patent. For instance, if you want to claim an invention for creating white light with adjustable color temperature, there are already multiple patents pending in Europe that cover the same technology.
In July 2019, UC Santa Barbara and Nixon Peabody LLP launched the first-of-its-kind patent enforcement campaign against an entire industry to prevent retailers, manufacturers, and other firms from selling a range of products that contain patented filament LED light bulbs – technology developed by UC Santa Barbara in 2014. The purpose is to guarantee UC Santa Barbara receives financial compensation for its intellectual property while setting an example for how industries must respect patented rights when selling these items.
Many patents are related to lighting technology, including LED light bulbs. The patents that relate to lighting technology cover many features. These include the design of the light fixture and how it is made, as well as the materials used during manufacturing. Here are some examples:
- US Patent 10,503,936 – This patent describes a method for manufacturing LED lights. It uses a mixture of red, green and blue LEDs to create a wide variety of colors. This patent also describes a method for controlling the color and brightness of LEDs.
- US Patent 10,381,247. This patent describes a smart light fixture that adjusts the lighting according to the user’s preferences. It also covers environmental factors like the time of day or the presence of natural sunlight.
- US Patent 9,847.080 – This patent describes a compact LED light fixture with a low profile and easy installation. This patent also describes a method for adjusting the angle of light to create the desired lighting effect.
- US Patent 9421,764 – This patent describes a method for producing LED lights with a phosphor coating. It improves efficiency and color rendering. It also describes a method for controlling the color temperature of light.
- US Patent 8128,155 – This patent describes a design for an LED light bulb that replicates the warm yellowish glow of traditional incandescent bulbs. It also describes a method for controlling the color temperature of the bulb and its brightness.