March 2018

To keep a patent in force, maintenance fees must be paid to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  Each time a maintenance fee becomes due, the patent owner should look not only to present considerations but also the long-range view in deciding whether or not to make the payment....

Under most situations, abnormal operating events do not result in significant consequences. Once the abnormal event is detected, we address the abnormality and return to normal operations.  When an abnormal situation occurs that cannot be brought under control, it can result in production...