Business

When Should You Order a Novelty Search?

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A novelty search, or patentability search, is a search to determine if an invention is new. Since a patent will only be issued for inventions that are “new, useful, and non-obvious,” novelty searches are generally performed prior to preparing a patent application. However, some practitioners feel novelty searches are unneeded because patent examiners perform novelty searches as part of the patent examination process. So when should a novelty search be ordered? You should order a novelty search when the invention, or the quality of the issued patent, is important.

A novelty search improves patent quality in the following ways:

Better Claims – A novelty search uncovers what is already known about your technology, which allows you, or your attorney, to write the broadest claims possible. Or you could get it done by professionals – patent service InventHelp.

Preserving the Doctrine of Equivalents – Crafting the claims well, and avoiding amendments when the application in pending before the patent office, will help preserve the doctrine of equivalents for later use. The doctrine of equivalents lets you prevent your competitors from using inventions that are substantially similar to yours; broadening your claims to cover patents claiming similar features, as long as the features function in the same way, to produce the same result.

Satisfying the Duty of Disclosure – According to the patent office:

Your failure to adhere to the duty of disclosure can cause your patent to be invalidated. A novelty search, and subsequent submission of the references to the patent office, help ensure that you have satisfied your duty of disclosure.

Patents are presumed valid in light of information considered during the patent application process. Therefore, the references uncovered in your novelty search, submitted to the patent office, and considered by the examiner, will be extremely difficult for your opponents to use against you. Your patent will also better withstand any examination by potential partners or licensees.

From a business perspective, a novelty search provides the following benefits:

Confirmation of Novelty – A novelty search will help you determine what is novel about your invention, how your invention differs from existing inventions. The point(s) of novelty identified can be the basis of the unique selling proposition when you market the invention.

Confirmation of Value – A novelty search will give you information about the value of your invention. How crowded is the technology? The more work in an area the more valuable it’s likely to be. How large are the families of the patent references identified? The larger a patent family, the more money spent obtaining protection for the invention, and the more valuable the owners consider the patent.

Competitive Intelligence – A novelty search will let you determine who is competing in the area. The number of competitor patents, and their timing, will tell you the size of competing efforts – and whether they’re growing or shrinking.

Resource Efficiency – A novelty search lets you use your resources efficiently. A search will help you avoid wasting resources on weak inventions and it will save you time and expense during the patent application process.

For more information, or to request a quotation, please contact Invent Help.

Health

Mental Health Therapy for PTSD

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Many people in New York understand that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is very serious in adults. Sometimes people overlook the fact that adults are not the only ones that can be affected by PTSD. Children and adolescents can also suffer from PTSD when they are exposed to traumatic situations, such as abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, or even natural disasters.

If you are worried that your child or another adolescent that you know may be suffering from PTSD due to some traumatic event, it is important to seek the help of a New York Psychiatrist providing mental health therapy for adolescent PTSD.

One of the most widely accepted methods of mental health treatment for adolescent PTSD is known as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. This approach discusses the trauma openly and directly, exposing the adolescent to it. At the same time, useful techniques are taught to the adolescent, such as how to manage anxiety, how to relax, how to assert one’s self, and even how to correct thoughts related to the trauma that may have become skewed or inaccurate. This type of therapy has been shown to be effective and safe a majority of the time for adolescent PTSD.

The best chance for success with mental health therapy for adolescent PTSD is for the parent to get involved and seek help and treatment as well. Children and adolescents may stand a higher chance of success with mental health treatment with support from their parents. If you have an adolescent suffering from PTSD, look into getting help right away.

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Finding A Good Private Investigator

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To effectively advocate a client’s position, one of the many important decisions an attorney will make is to hire a competent private investigator. Private investigators uncover the truth and collect facts in a variety of ways: surveillance may uncover evidence of a malingering insurance claimant, provide crucial evidence in child custody matters or expose dishonest business partners.

Background investigations and advanced data mining techniques are essential components of due diligence and the discovery of complex associations. Skip tracing determines the whereabouts of missing witnesses, family members or those who cannot be located for service and field interviews with recorded statements save time and money when preparing for potential civil litigation or a criminal defense trial.

Obviously, skilled private investigators do so much more than “the basics” and offer a considerable array of additional services too. I believe that everyone in the legal field would agree that an experienced and professional investigator can oftentimes mean the difference between a successful outcome for your client or a crushing verdict in the courtroom.

Four critical qualities to consider prior to selecting a private investigation agency when the need arises:

Licensing and Insurance. Unless an investigator is actually in the employ of your law firm, many states require a license to practice private investigation and have a strict set of requirements that both investigators and agencies must meet in order to acquire licensing. A very few states still do not require state licensing for private investigators, so choose investigators in these states carefully. And while it may not be required by state law, ensure that the agency you select maintains a professional liability insurance policy with errors and omissions coverage. This will help to insulate you and your client in instances where an investigator is accused of professional negligence, not to mention that carrying industry specific insurance is the hallmark of being a committed professional.

Experience and Background. As an example, while the state of Florida requires a comprehensive background check and conducts professional experience verification before issuing a state PI license, it is not uncommon when working assignments in Alabama and Mississippi for us to find that the investigator working on behalf of the other party has had no professional experience, or is a “part timer” at best, and it is often very easy to exploit their work product to our advantage. Verify references, credentials, work experience, educational background and additional industry-specific training received. Private investigation is a profession in which experience, training and resourcefulness matter most! Lastly, contact other attorneys and other professionals who have used private investigators and obtain recommendations; there is no substitute for a referral! Nearly all of our new cases come from either an attorney referral or recommendation by a past customer.

Communication. Time is of the essence! Does the investigator answer the phone or provide a means to reach him or her at critical times? Do they return calls in a timely manner and keep appointments? Request written communication or a report sample; is it professional, organized and free of errors? What does the investigator’s website say? Does it portray professionalism and communicate a message with which you are comfortable being associated?

Ethics. Ethics is acting with an awareness of the need for complying with rules, such as State and Federal law, the customs and expectations of the community, the principles of morality, the policies of the organization and such general concerns as the needs of others and fairness. Ethics gives us a model with which to make decisions and a method to evaluate other people’s behavior as well. It is this concept of judging others that ethics becomes the foundation for professional conduct and therefore, inseparable from our profession. What your investigator does and says will ultimately be a reflection upon you.

Quality investigators can be rare. However, if you follow these simple guidelines and incorporate common sense, you may just find a perfect partnership with a professional investigations agency that will become the basis of your own legal dream team.

Health

What Is A Medical Spa?

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A medical spa will supply you with a unique experience of getting the medical attention you seek and need for your skin, and being able to enjoy the experience, as you would at a day spa. Think of a medical office and a day spa all rolled into one and you will have a good idea of what a medical spa has to offer you. Generally there will be a board certified dermatologist on staff, a nurse and/or a licensed esthetician .

Some common medical spa treatments include microdermabrasion, Botox injections, chemical peels, laser hair removal, various types of facials, massages and other treatments. At a medical spa, both men and women can receive top notch treatments for acne, for aging skin conditions, removal of unwanted hair and other conditions. A dermatologist will often oversee the medical spa activities with a trained esthetician or technician performing some of the various treatments.

A well renowned medical spa in Atlanta that will treat patients with a variety of needs is the Blue Divine Medical Spa. Blue Divine Medical Spa lets you get just what you need out of a quality medical spa: results. This Medical Spa focuses on you getting the results you want and need in a relaxing setting that is safe and non-invasive. Blue Divine Medical Spa uses the most up-to-date techniques and instruments to ensure that you receive the best care possible. You will also feel pampered at Blue Divine Medical Spa and know that the end result will be a more beautiful and attractive skin for you!

If you are considering laser hair removal, consider what Blue Divine Atlanta med spa can offer. The world-renowned treatment is used here, offering you a very safe and non-invasive laser treatment for hair removal. Any skin type or complexion shade can be treated in a safe, non-invasive way. As soon as your skin is treated, you can go right back your everyday, normal activities. It most likely will take a few treatments to thoroughly be rid of your excess hair completely and permanently, but we are only talking about five or six visits spread out over a period of about 20 weeks. And each laser treatment lasts only a few minutes and is relatively painless, with a topical anesthetic offered to those who so desire.

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Tips on How to Choose the Best 9mm Handgun

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You have a lot of options when it comes to 9mm handguns, but these handgun models are not manufactured equally. You will find some models out there that are cheaper than the others, but are better in terms of quality. However, it is important to understand that in general, the less you pay for a gun, the lower in quality it may be. So before you purchase your first handgun, make sure that you have already read as much honest reviews about the best 9mm handguns as you can in order for you not to waste your time and your money, as well as not to be disappointed with the choice that you will make.

Whether you are new in the world of handguns or if you already have quite a collection of 9mm handguns, it is important that you read unbiased consumer and product reviews on the best 9mm handguns available today. There are a lot of reputable online shops online, such as Smokin Guns, where you can read the reviews about the gun you are interested in and the deals are great as well. Aside from doing this, you should also take the time to equip yourself with the knowledge of how to choose the right model that will suit your needs and your preference, especially if you are just a beginner. There are several factors that you need to consider, so make sure that you learn all about these before you make a purchase for the first handgun that you will ever own.

Check the Price List

As mentioned above, the cheaper the handgun is, the poorer in quality it may be. However, there are still some manufacturers out there who offer good quality models for lower rates. This is why it is still important that you check the price list of the best 9mm handguns out there before you make a purchase. This will allow you to know whether the rate that is being charged by the gun shop is fair or not.

Consult with More Experienced Gun Owners

Getting the recommendations of more experienced gun owners is also very important. Ask the people that you know and that you trust about the models that they consider as the best 9mm handguns available. This will help you narrow down the list of potential manufacturers and models that you may be interested with. Consulting with more experienced gun owners will also help you learn about the pros and cons of each model, so you will be able to determine which one is best suited for your needs and your preference.

Shoot Various Models at Commercial Ranges

Once you have gathered the information on the best 9mm handguns available today, it is now time for you to further narrow down your list of potentials by visiting the range and shooting the models that are remaining in your list. There are a lot of commercial shooting ranges that offer rental guns where you will be able to test a wide variety of 9mm handguns in just one trip. This way, you can find out the model that will best fit in your hands and one that will also most easily come on target for you.

Health

How Can Physiotherapy Help

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Physiotherapists assess, diagnoses, treat and manage injuries and / or postural conditions that affect an individual. Physiotherapists work towards improving a person’s mobility and overall health through hands on treatment and an appropriate rehabilitation program, as well as preventing any further injury or damage to the musculoskeletal system. Common conditions treated include:

  • Poor posture related conditions
  • Lower back pain
  • Muscular dysfunction
  • Injury rehabilitation
  • Strengthening
  • Headaches
  • And many more problems such as pregnancy, sports and work injuries.

Treatment modalities can include:

  • Joint mobilization
  • Soft tissue massage
  • Stretching
  • Exercise prescription
  • Pain relief education
  • Dry Needling
  • Hold & cold therapies
  • TMJ

Find out in advance which methods the physiotherapist uses – you want to be happy with your treatment.

There are many different forms of treatment used by a physiotherapists in Burnaby. Traditionally, physiotherapists train in exercise and movement, massage, manipulation and electrotherapy. Today, many Burnaby Physiotherapy therapists use additional methods of treatment such as various types of massage like shiatsu, cranio-sacral therapy and neuro-structural therapy.

Reflexology, hydrotherapy and acupuncture are also often offered. When you have your initial meeting with the therapist, ask what treatments they will be using for your particular problem. Mention any that you have had success with in the past and also warn them of any treatments you would not be happy to have.

Perhaps you have been treated favorably in the past with reflexology and want to try this again. Find out whether the therapist is able to offer this. Maybe acupuncture is something you would prefer not to have. If so, be upfront in the interview and ask if there are any alternatives.

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Heating Repair

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When you’re in the Columbia SC, getting your hands on a top-notch heating system is a must due to the almost nonstop temperature changes each and every day. However, having the privilege of making your living spaces as comfortable as can be at a touch of a button also means keeping your unit in tiptop shape at all times with the right SC heating repair.

Heating is undoubtedly one of the most fundamental necessities across the globe these days. Apart from giving you easy access to a desired temperature throughout your entire home when you need it, getting that pleasantly warm ambiance is as easy as giving a switch a few simple tweaks. When it comes to comfort and convenience, modern heating systems really do take it to a whole new higher level.

As with any piece of equipment, though, heating systems require routine maintenance in order to keep running. If you have neglected to check your home’s heating system even for a short while, you could be in for a lot of trouble the next time you switch your unit on only to discover that nothing but cold air is blowing out the vents. When that happens, you definitely need the right kind of Columbia SC heating repair to get the job done in no time without ruining your budget.

Whether you’re setting up a new place or perhaps just souping up an existing residence, zeroing in on premier Columbia SC heating repair is definitely an advantage. From traditional furnaces, radiant baseboard heat, electric heat pump, radiant ceiling and floor heat to portable space heaters, Heating Repair Columbia SC service help you get easy access to whatever service you need anytime and anywhere minus the excessive rates.

Experiencing the right brand of Columbia SC heating repair need not be ridiculously technical or quite heavy on your budget. Make sure you give extensive lineup of services and specialists a thorough browse to help you get started right away in no time at all. With coolcarehvac.com, taking home heating further up a notch for less only takes a single click.

Real Estate

Rental Agencies In Canada

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Millions of people across Canada rent their homes. Not everyone is able or ready to commit to purchasing their own home – so there are many benefits to renting. In this guide we shall look at how you can use property management agencies to find your perfect rental home.

Benefits of Renting a Home

Although owning your own home has its benefits, there are also great reasons to rent. You will generally get more for your money when renting. The deposit when renting is significantly lower than when you buy a house – you generally only need to put a deposit worth around the amount of the first month’s to secure your home. There are also no legal fees, land transfer taxes etc.

One of the other main benefits of renting a home is the freedom to move. This is particularly good if you go away a lot for work or have not decided where you want to settle yet. You have the ability to pack up and leave practically whenever you want – you don’t need to wait until you have sold your home which can take several years during slow housing market times.

You also do not need to worry about property values. Your rent stays the same for the length of your lease. When you own a house you risk losing money on it when you sell it – you don’t have to worry about this when you are renting. The final benefit is that you do not need to pay the cost of repairs, maintenance and gardening and landscaping on the home.

Business

A Business Without a Sign is a Sign of No Business

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That monument, ground or pylon sign standing outside your building should be a reflection of your image and brand. I once read, “A business without a sign is a sign of no business”. True enough. Not many businesses can survive without a sign to direct traffic to their doors unless they are a web-based company that relies on other methods. Not so the larger retail companies we recognize regularly. Shell, Esso, McDonalds as well as The Bay, Sears, Canadian Tire and other bastions of retail excellence. Their pylon signs are not the only things that bring customers to their doors but it is an important part of the corporate strategy. It reflects the brand and broadcasts for blocks, where you should turn in.

Not every company can afford a huge pylon sign like the major corporations. But it still must be a part of the corporate strategy. Many companies share space on a pylon sign with other tenants or condo owners. While your space may be limited, don’t give up on making the most of what is available to you. This means maximizing the available space. Let’s say you are negotiating a lease for a building in which you share space on a pylon sign. Try to negotiate with the landlord to increase the number of places or size of space available on the sign.

If part of the sign is vacant, you might be able to negotiate using that space until the vacant space is required. There are benefits to both parties here. You gain extra signage for the beginning of the lease (when it is most important for customers to find you) and the landlord’s property will appear fully occupied (which benefits all the tenants since prosperity begets prosperity).

I remember my days in the gas station business when, if a station had no customers, we advised the managers to park a car or two at the pumps. You’d be surprised how this technique brought customers onto the lot! An empty lot looks deserted and forbidding. But a lot with cars on it attracts other customers.

How much information should go on a pylon sign? As little as possible! Remember my mantra: “The best sign says the least.” Of course, custom signs are always preferred and will have the bigger impact. Certainly the name and logo of the company must be the largest and most prominent items displayed. After that, any further information will only detract from the main message. The pylon sign is there to broadcast who you are and where you are, not give out a lot of information about your company. There are other vehicles for that.

Let’s talk about the layout of the logo and company name on the pylon. Sometimes, the configuration of the sign does not allow you to lay out the name and/or logo in the normal fashion. Unless you are designing and building a pylon sign for your own purpose, be prepared to re-configure the layout to maximize the available space. For example, your logo may quite square but the available space is long and thin.

If you don’t allow the designer to change the layout of the logo/name, it will be very small and very hard to see from a distance. That’s a short-sighted policy. I’ve seen this happen in many instances where a corporation, with strict rules on how the name and logo can be displayed, moves into a rented property. The head office refuses to bend on the layout of the sign. The result is a smaller than expected presence on the sign and an ineffective sign.

In summary:

  • Be prepared to negotiate additional space for a short period of time
  • Be flexible on the layout so that you maximize the space available
  • Only put the essential information on the sign – name and logo
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Why You Should Invest in a Boat Cover

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A boat cover can prolong the longevity of a boat by 50 percent, as compared to the boat which is not covered.

How to Choose the Best Boat Cover for Your Boat

You may be overwhelmed by the choices of boat covers available in the market. Your choice of boat cover depends mainly on the climatic conditions your boat is exposed to. The most reliable boat cover should cover the boat completely. A customized boat cover will fit like a pair of gloves.

Which Material to Choose for Your Boat Cover

Canvas and polyester are the main materials used in the making of boat covers. The best ones come in waver polyester alternated with non-waver polyester. Canvas is also popular material for boat covers because it is tough on dust and allows air circulation.

It is important to ensure that the boat cover you use is totally waterproof. Some covers will also protect your boat from ultraviolet rays (keeps the color of the boat fresh for a longer period of time). Before you decide on what boat cover would fit your boat best, check out all the available material and the cost.