Kansas City, KS Patent Lawyer

The entrepreneurial industry in Kansas City ranges from agriculture and manufacturing companies to new-tech start-ups. Patent protection can bring benefits to individual innovators, the founders of cutting-edge start-ups, and established corporations. An intellectual property & trademark portfolio helps you no matter your background, giving you the ability to protect your ideas and benefit from bringing your invention to the city’s ever-growing market.

Kansas City inventors have a long history of changing the market. George C. Hale, a fire chief in Kansas City, registered over 60 patents for firefighting equipment, including wire cutters, door openers, hose nozzles, and telephone fire alarms, revolutionizing firefighting. Forest Gill created the bumper sticker in the mid-1940s, and Bob Berstein developed McDonald’s Happy Meal design in 1977. Both men lived in Kansas City.

Stanley Durwood designed what is believed to be the first multiplex theater in 1963, located right in KC. This theater and company later developed into AMC Theaters.

Why Kansas City Remains a Growing Innovation Hub

Kansas City is uniquely positioned to be an ideal location for entrepreneurs and visionaries. Inventors and business owners can benefit from its geographic position in the center of the country, which gives it access to both coasts and its location as the intersection of four major national interstate highways. The city also benefits from its strong economic position with a thriving innovation scene and its backbone of manufacturing infrastructure.
 
The city’s position and collaborative innovation are spurred by key industries such as:

1. Cutting-edge high-tech and engineering industries
   • Kansas City SmartPort & logistics tech. The city leads logistics and supply chain technology and innovation, benefiting from its strategic geographic location and its existing robust transportation systems.
   • Cybersecurity and IT (information technology). Kansas City boasts cybersecurity firms like Fishtech Group and many cybersecurity initiatives that are government-supported. The city promotes tech security solutions and new innovations in the field.
   • AI (artificial intelligence) and automation. New advancements and innovations in robotics, AI, and automation push this field further. This innovation is being pushed by varying sizes of businesses, from small tech start-ups to corporate research centers.
2. Life sciences and healthcare innovation industries
   • BioNexus KC. This is a nonprofit that fosters and supports growth in life sciences, biotech, and medical technology in new start-ups and for independent inventors.
   • Children’s Mercy Research Institute. Located in KC, this institute innovates and implements pediatric medical innovations.
   • Animal Health Corridor. This is the world’s largest collection of animal health industry companies, and it is anchored in KC. The Animal Health Corridor hosts companies like Bayer Animal Health and Boehringer Ingelheim.
3. Advanced manufacturing and AgTech (agricultural technology) industries
   • Aviation and aerospace. The city is home to numerous engineering firms and supply chain manufacturers like HOK, JE Dunn Construction Company, BNIM Architects, and Black & Veatch. These companies support and grow the aviation and aerospace industries.
   • AgTech and precision farming. Smart agricultural technology creates new advancements and solutions in the farming industry and is spearheaded by firms like Farmobile and Climate Corp.
   • Food science and processing. There are several companies located in KC that innovate the food industry and processing, including Dairy Farmers of America and National Beef Packing Company.
4. Creative and consumer product innovation industries
   • Sporting equipment and wearables. KC boasts a strong sports culture and designs for sports gear and wearables continue to be innovative and high-performance.
   • Music and entertainment tech. This industry includes advancements in digital media and audio engineering and is developed further by music tech start-ups.
   • E-commerce and retail tech. Digital payment options and e-commerce continue to grow under the guidance of start-ups in the city, like BacklotCars and PayIt.

Education and Growth: Key Universities, Incubators, and Start-Up Hubs in Kansas City

The fundamental support for a growing and innovative industry is its educational centers and collections of like-minded individuals, fostering further learning and interest in entrepreneurial endeavors.
 
Some of the top universities that drive innovation include:

• University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), with engineering and medical research programs, and the basis for the Bloch Venture Hub
  
• Kansas State University (K-State), which has programs focused on AgTech, biosciences, and veterinary medicine
• University of Kansas (KU), with research and development in areas like biotech, engineering, and pharmaceuticals
• Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T), with programs in applied engineering, material sciences, and energy tech

Entrepreneurial hubs and incubators include: 

• Inventors Center of Kansas City (ICKC), which provides inventors and product developers with networks, resources, and tools to develop ideas into viable products
  • They offer educational forums and guidance to first-time inventors 
• Digital Sandbox KC, which provides proof-of-concept resources to support early-stage commercialization processes, including access to technology, business, and market experts, as well as funding for early-stage market validation, prototyping, and beta testing services 
• LaunchKC, which invests over $1 million annually in high-growth startups
  • They offer $50,000 in funding, plus access to a host of support services
• UMKC Innovation Center, which helps individuals turn their ideas and innovations into ventures that shape an economy of hope
  • They provide resources and support for technology commercialization, business expansion, and ecosystem development
• Ennovation Center, which features a range of specialized facilities, including commercial kitchens and wet labs, to support various entrepreneurial ventures 
• KC Tech Council, which benefits and supports entrepreneurs in the IT and software sectors
• BioNexus KC, which focuses on life science entrepreneurship
• Enterprise Center in Johnson County (ECJC), which provides mentorships, funding, and spaces for collaboration for entrepreneurs
• WeWork and Plexpod KC, both of which provide workspaces for entrepreneurs and flexible options for collaboration

What Can a Kansas City Patent Lawyer Do for You?

A Kansas City patent lawyer plays an essential part in securing a patent because the process of applying and securing the patent can be very complex. Inventors and businesses can better protect their IP with the help of a patent attorney. Attorneys can help with:

1. Patent research and prior art searches. A prior art search determines if your invention is novel by reviewing other patents and published inventions for similarity to yours.
   
2. Patent application drafting. The application for your invention and how it is drafted are fundamental to the process you receive. An attorney can help file with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), outline the scope of the invention’s patent protection, and prepare illustrations and descriptions of the invention.
   
   In 2024, there were nearly 1.2 million patents at different stages of the patent examination process, and nearly 800,000 of these were unexamined. The total patent application inventory was greater than it had been in the prior nine years.
   
3. USPTO action responses. If there are objections or insufficient information in the patent application process, the USPTO will send an office action. An attorney helps applicants argue against objections and react quickly to continue the patent process.
   
4. Patent infringement analysis and enforcement. If your patent is infringed on, your attorney can analyze the risks posed by the infringement, write cease-and-desist letters, and help individuals begin infringement litigation cases.
   
5. Patent monetization and licensing. When you have patented your invention, an attorney can help you profit from it through licensing negotiations with companies, brokering to find investors and IP portfolio management.

Find Your Industry’s Patent Requirements

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Protecting Your Bold Inventions

At Bold Patents, we can help you support your business goals and manage your IP portfolio. Contact our firm today.

Bold Patents J.D. Houvener, Esq., MBA, P.E.

Principal Patent Attorney, Bold Patents