Abstract: Systems and methods are described that allow and enable the provision of malpractice or errors and omissions insurance to cover malpractice or other negligent conduct in connection with the payment of annuity or maintenance fees for patents and patent applications throughout the world

Abstract: According to one example embodiment of the inventive subject matter, there is provided apparatus comprising a mobile telephone including a tactile ringer component that in a first mode is attached and carried with the mobile phone in a carrier mechanism and in a second mode is detached from the phone and carried in proximity to a user's body, and further wherein the vibrating ringer component is activated by a wireless signal from the mobile phone, generated by RF transmitter element. A receiver receives the signal. Receiver applies, in response to detection of an RF signal applies an RF detection signal to tactile activation circuit. Circuit, in turn, activates tactile element, such as a vibrating element or other tactile generator as described below. Phone electronics provide the operational circuitry and components to enable the operation and function of the mobile phone, as for example provided in commercially available mobile phones.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter provides systems, methods, software, and data structures for patent mapping, storage, and searching. Some such embodiments include mapping patent documents, claims, and claim limitations.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter provides systems, methods, software, and data structures for patent mapping, storage, and searching. Some such embodiments include mapping patent documents, claims, and claim limitations. Some further embodiments provide for searching a universe of patent documents by patent document, claim, limitation, class, or element.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed including storing data regarding a plurality of law firm clients in a database, designating at least some of those clients to be billed for interest incurred financing out-of-pocket expenses, with the law firm financing an out-of-pocket expense using law firm capital or a loan from a financing source. The law firm bills a client for a particular financed out-of-pocket expenses, and determines a cost recovery fee associated with the financed out-of-pocket expense, wherein the cost recover fee is calculated or checked based on one or more criteria to help the law firm avoid charging a client more than a threshold rate. The method and system further provides that the law firm bill the client for at least a portion of the cost recovery fee as a disbursement at the same time as billing the client for the associated out-of-pocket expense, and that the client pays the law firm for the financed out-of-pocket expense and for the cost recovery fee disbursed to the client.

Abstract: This application discloses method and system in which a party independent of the law firm contracts with the law firm to reimburse the law firm for interest costs incurred on out-of-pocket expenses paid by the law firm. In one embodiment, a law firm incurs an out-of-pocket expense for a client, and contemporaneously with incurring the expense, the independent party assesses a fee to the law firm for the particular out-of-pocket expense. The fee is assessed, in one embodiment, according the amount of time the law firm is expected to carry the expense. The law firm bills the client for the expense and associated assessed fee as disbursements. The law firm receives payment by the client of the expense and the assessed fee, whereby the client reimburses the law firm for the expense and also reimburses the law firm for the assessed fee.

Abstract: The present inventive subject matter relates to document management, more particularly to a system and method for information disclosure statement management. Various embodiments of the present inventive subject matter include systems and methods for tracking reference documents relevant to pending patent applications that includes electronically comparing keywords from a pending claim set with reference document text to automatically determine if a reference document needs to be submitted to a patent office for a pending patent application. Further embodiments include performing electronic analysis on a reference document based on various elements of the reference document in view of elements of a pending patent application. In some embodiments, the analysis includes a keyword analysis to derive a score which is useful in determining if a document should be disclosed to a patenting authority for a pending patent application.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket fees such as patent and trademark fees is disclosed. The patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by an organization separate from the firm. A charge issued at a workstation at the firm is delivered to a patent or patent and trademark agency, or a foreign associate firm, where it is cashed against an account maintained by the separate organization. The firm bills the client for the fee, along with a service charge, while the separate organization bills the firm for the fee and the service charge. Payment from the client to the firm for the fee and service charge is then sent to the separate organization to cover the firm's bill from the separate organization. A law firm maintains its own account and uses a second account funded with a loan to pay the out-of-pocket costs.

Abstract: According to one example embodiment, the daily (business days for accelerated) operation of a collection server provides for nightly downloads of out-of-pocket cost file from accounting system, wherein this file shows all out-of-pocket costs entered into the accounting system in the prior period (e.g. day) that are going to be billed to client, typically at the end of the month, and for each cost, a client #, file #, cost, description. In addition, the server searches the list for files for clients selected for “accelerated pay” and, optionally, aggregate costs for each client (if there are muliple costs entered, ask for one payment for all costs added together), and for selected clients, auto debit or send request for approval of funds (per setting). If the client is set up for auto debit, the system automatically takes funds from credit card or bank account (e.g. using ACH) and notice is sent if desired.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket fees such as patent and trademark fees is disclosed. The patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by an organization separate from the firm. A charge issued at a workstation at the firm is delivered to a patent or patent and trademark agency, or a foreign associate firm, where it is cashed against an account maintained by the separate organization. The firm bills the client for the fee, along with a service charge, while the separate organization bills the firm for the fee and the service charge. Payment from the client to the firm for the fee and service charge is then sent to the separate organization to cover the firm's bill from the separate organization. A law firm maintains its own account and uses a second account funded with a loan to pay the out-of-pocket costs.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket fees such as patent and trademark fees is disclosed. The patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by an organization separate from the firm. A charge issued at a workstation at the firm is delivered to a patent or patent and trademark agency, or a foreign associate firm, where it is cashed against an account maintained by the separate organization. The firm bills the client for the fee, along with a service charge, while the separate organization bills the firm for the fee and the service charge. Payment from the client to the firm for the fee and service charge is then sent to the separate organization to cover the firm's bill from the separate organization. A law firm maintains its own account and uses a second account funded with a loan to pay the out-of-pocket costs.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket fees such as patent and trademark fees is disclosed. The patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by an organization separate from the firm. A charge issued at a workstation at the firm is delivered to a patent or patent and trademark agency, or a foreign associate firm, where it is cashed against an account maintained by the separate organization. The firm bills the client for the fee, along with a service charge, while the separate organization bills the firm for the fee and the service charge. Payment from the client to the firm for the fee and service charge is then sent to the separate organization to cover the firm's bill from the separate organization. A law firm maintains its own account and uses a second account funded with a loan to pay the out-of-pocket costs.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket fees such as patent and trademark fees is disclosed. The patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by an organization separate from the firm. A charge issued at a workstation at the firm is delivered to a patent or patent and trademark agency, or a foreign associate firm, where it is cashed against an account maintained by the separate organization. The firm bills the client for the fee, along with a service charge, while the separate organization bills the firm for the fee and the service charge. Payment from the client to the firm for the fee and service charge is then sent to the separate organization to cover the firm's bill from the separate organization.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket fees such as patent and trademark fees is disclosed. The patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by an organization separate from the firm. A charge issued at a workstation at the firm is delivered to a patent or patent and trademark agency, or a foreign associate firm, where it is cashed against an account maintained by the separate organization. The firm bills the client for the fee, along with a service charge, while the separate organization bills the firm for the fee and the service charge.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket fees such as patent and trademark fees is disclosed. The patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by an organization separate from the firm. A charge issued at a workstation at the firm is delivered to a patent or patent and trademark agency, or a foreign associate firm, where it is cashed against an account maintained by the separate organization. The firm bills the client for the fee, along with a service charge, while the separate organization bills the firm for the fee and the service charge. Payment from the client to the firm for the fee and service charge is then sent to the separate organization to cover the firm's bill from the separate organization. A law firm maintains its own account and uses a second account funded with a loan to pay the out-of-pocket costs.

Abstract: A computerized method and system for the payment of out-of-pocket fees such as patent and trademark fees is disclosed. The patent or trademark fee for a client of a firm is charged against an account maintained by an organization separate from the firm. A charge issued at a workstation at the firm is delivered to a patent or patent and trademark agency, or a foreign associate firm, where it is cashed against an account maintained by the separate organization. The firm bills the client for the fee, along with a service charge, while the separate organization bills the firm for the fee and the service charge. Payment from the client to the firm for the fee and service charge is then sent to the separate organization to cover the firm's bill from the separate organization. A law firm maintains its own account and uses a second account funded with a loan to pay the out-of-pocket costs.