Jeffrey R. Schell

Jeff provides intellectual property and venture development support via Schell IP. A multi-exit founder himself and originally the founder of Rocky Mountain Patent and the Quandary Group with a talented team of scientists, engineers and attorneys, Jeff remains on a mission to transform innovative concepts into companies.

He then leveraged the valuable IP the group developed to raise several million dollars to acquire TranS1, an innovative medical device company, and relocated the company to Colorado. Soon thereafter, ColoradoBiz Magazine named TranS1 one of the top 250 companies in Colorado by revenue. The Denver Post also named TranS1 Denver's "Most Innovative Workplace" in 2016. Further, the Colorado Technology Association named TranS1 a nominee for "Company of the Year." Under Jeff's leadership, Orthopedics This Week awarded TranS1 with the 2017 Spine Technology Award. He later invested in leading Colorado startup Proov, leading the company through a $40MM Series A.

Jeff attended Northwestern University, graduating with degrees in Industrial Engineering & Management Sciences and Economics in 2004. He subsequently earned his JD and masters degrees in International Studies and Medical Informatics. Jeff separately studied economics at Harvard University, and in 2007, was a delegate at the Harvard China-India Development & Relations Symposium. ColoradoBiz Magazine named Jeff one of the 25 "Most Influential Young Professionals in Colorado." He was also a finalist for the Denver Post's "Colorado Innovator of the Year" and "Denver Trailblazer" awards. In 2017, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock invited Jeff to participate in Denver's official trade delegation to South Africa and Kenya.

• Free Consultation

Colorado

Colorado Supreme Court

ID Number: 48207

Since 2015

Michigan

State Bar of Michigan

ID Number: P74066

Since 2010

USPTO

Federal Circuit

Founder

Schell IP

2023 - Current

Northwestern University

Top 25 Colorado Young Professional

ColoradoBiz Magazine

2016

25 Most Influential Young Professionals in Colorado

ColoradoBiz Magazine

2016

Super Lawyer

Super Lawyers

2020-2024

Colorado State Bar  # 48207

Current

USPTO

Patent Attorney

Current

Michigan State Bar  # P74066

2010 - Current

Enforce Your Patents

LinkedIn

2023

Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Law

2018

Bioinnovation & Intellectual Property, Bioinnovation & Intellectual Property

2017

Patent Prosecution, Denver Startup Week

2017

NAPP Certification

National Association of Patent Practitioners

2014

Q. Can I patent an idea

August 5, 2024

A: I'm sorry to hear about your health situation, and I understand your concerns about protecting your invention. It's commendable that you want to secure your intellectual property and ensure your ideas are recognized as your own.

To address your question: yes, it is possible to file for a patent even if you have not yet created a physical prototype. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) allows for the patenting of an idea if you can provide a complete and detailed description of the invention. This includes how it works, how it is made, and how it is used. This is often referred to as the "enablement requirement," which means that your description must be detailed enough to enable someone skilled in the field to make and use the invention. You also should consider petitioning the office to make the application "special" if you are eligible due to your personal circumstances.

Here a few other steps you should consider:

Write down a detailed description of your invention, including drawings, diagrams, and any research you have conducted. This documentation should be thorough enough that someone in your field could replicate the invention without needing to perform additional innovation.

You might consider filing a provisional patent application first. This does not necessarily require the same level of detail as a non-provisional patent application and can provide you with "patent pending" status for one year. This year can be used to further refine the invention or seek partners or investors. Of course, this should ideally be done with the help of an attorney.

Before the expiration of the provisional application, you would need to file a non-provisional patent application. This application must include all the detailed specifications, claims defining the scope of the patent, and any necessary drawings. This definitely be done with the help of an attorney.

Given the complexities of patent law and the importance of ensuring that your application is thorough and complete, consulting with a patent attorney could be very beneficial. They can help draft your application to ensure it meets all legal requirements and adequately protects your invention. Colorado-based patent law firm Schell IP offers free initial consultations, which you can schedule at the following link: <A HREF="https://www.schellip.com/book-a-consultation">https://www.schellip.com/book-a-consultation</A>

By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your invention is legally recognized as your creation and protect it from being claimed by others. ... Read More

Q. How do I know if my product has been patented by someone else?

August 5, 2024

A: The best way to determine prior patent status of a product is to engage with a patent professional to engage in a freedom to operate search. Prior to that step though, to determine if your product has been patented by someone else, consider the following:

First, understand that patents cover inventions or discoveries that are new, useful, and non-obvious. This includes processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions of matter.

Then, you can start by performing your own patentability search. Start with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database. This database includes all granted patents and published patent applications in the U.S. If you think the patent might be filed in other countries, check international databases such as WIPO’s PATENTSCOPE or the European Patent Office’s Espacenet. This is a user-friendly tool that also includes patents and applications from multiple countries. During your search, use relevant keywords that describe your product’s purpose, composition, and use. It will help to learn aboutm understand and use the Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC) system to find patents in similar categories.

Initially, focus on the abstracts and claims of each patent document. The claims section is particularly crucial as it defines the scope of the patent protection. Also review any drawings or diagrams that might give you a clearer idea of the patented invention. For any patent that seems relevant, read through the entire document carefully to understand the scope of the patent and how it might relate to your product. Make a note to follow up on this with a patent professional.

If you find the process challenging or if there are potentially overlapping patents, consider consulting with a patent attorney. Schell IP (https://www.schellip.com) provides free initial consultations which can be scheduled via the website. They can provide a professional opinion and help navigate potential patent infringement issues.

By following these steps, you can research whether your product or a similar one has been patented as an initial step prior to engaging with a patent lawyer, helping you navigate potential legal considerations before launching or continuing your product development. ... Read More