Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights & Trade Secrets
Protecting innovation for Pennsylvania businesses from our Jermyn office in Northeastern PA.
Call Us: 570-878-5000
Intellectual Property Services for Pennsylvania Businesses
Zale Patent Law provides comprehensive intellectual property legal services to inventors, startups, and established businesses throughout Pennsylvania. From our office at 19 Paul Street, Jermyn, PA 18433, we serve clients across Northeastern Pennsylvania with patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret services.
With more than 29 years of experience and over 300 patents filed across 21 countries, our firm brings a depth of technical and legal expertise that is hard to find outside of major cities. Attorney Lawrence Zale combines a background in electrical engineering with a law degree focused on intellectual property, allowing him to understand your inventions at a technical level and translate that understanding into strong patent protection.
Whether you need to file a utility or design patent, register a trademark, protect copyrighted works, or safeguard trade secrets, we offer clear guidance and a hands-on approach. Our practice also extends to technology law and business counseling, including NDAs, development agreements, and licensing.
Our Services
Your Attorney: Lawrence P. Zale
Attorney Lawrence P. Zale is a Pennsylvania-licensed patent attorney with more than 29 years of experience protecting intellectual property. A native of the region, Larry built his career through positions that span government, defense, and private practice right here in the Commonwealth.
Larry’s career includes work at Kennedy Space Center and the Tobyhanna Army Depot, where he developed a deep understanding of complex technical systems. He later practiced with Paul & Paul in Philadelphia, one of Pennsylvania’s respected IP firms, before founding Zale Patent Law. He holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from Wilkes University, giving him the technical foundation to work effectively with inventors across a wide range of industries.
Today, Larry serves Pennsylvania businesses from the firm’s Jermyn office, bringing big-firm expertise to Northeastern PA at accessible rates.
What Our Clients Say
Our Jermyn Office
Areas We Serve in Pennsylvania
From our Jermyn office, Zale Patent Law serves inventors and businesses throughout Pennsylvania. Our clients come from Jermyn, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Carbondale, Dunmore, Clarks Summit, Archbald, Old Forge, Moosic, Pittston, and communities across Northeastern Pennsylvania. We also serve clients in the Lehigh Valley, the Poconos, and throughout the Commonwealth who need experienced intellectual property counsel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a patent attorney in Pennsylvania to file a patent?
You do not need a Pennsylvania-based attorney to file a patent, because patent law is federal and handled by the USPTO. That said, working with a patent attorney who is also admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar offers advantages when IP issues intersect with state law matters like contracts or business formation. Attorney Zale is both a PA Bar member and a registered USPTO practitioner, serving Inventors from our Jermyn office.
What types of intellectual property protection are available in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania businesses can take advantage of four main forms of intellectual property protection: patents (for inventions and processes), trademarks (for brand names and logos), copyrights (for original creative works), and trade secrets (for confidential business information). Many businesses benefit from a combination of these protections working together.
How does Pennsylvania law protect trade secrets?
Pennsylvania adopted the Pennsylvania Uniform Trade Secrets Act (PUTSA), which provides a clear legal framework for protecting confidential business information, including formulas, processes, customer lists, and proprietary methods. Pennsylvania courts have a well-developed body of case law supporting trade secret claims, making it important for businesses to document their confidential information and implement reasonable security measures.
How long does the patent process take?
The patent process typically takes 18 to 36 months from filing to issuance, though timelines vary depending on the technology area and the USPTO’s current backlog. A provisional patent application can be filed quickly to establish a priority date while the full application is prepared. We keep our Pennsylvania clients informed throughout the process and work to respond to USPTO office actions promptly.
What is the difference between a patent and a trade secret?
A patent and a trade secret protect innovations in fundamentally different ways. A patent provides public, enforceable protection for a limited period (typically 20 years from filing), granting the Inventor the exclusive right to make, use, sell, or import the invention. A trade secret protects confidential information indefinitely, as long as it remains secret. The right choice depends on your situation, and often the best strategy uses both.
Can a Pennsylvania patent attorney handle international patent filings?
Yes. Attorney Zale has filed patents in 21 countries and regularly handles international filings through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) process. From our Jermyn, Pennsylvania office, we coordinate with foreign associates worldwide to secure patent protection in the markets that matter most to your business.
How much does it cost to file a patent application?
Patent costs vary depending on the complexity of the invention and the type of application. A provisional patent application is generally less expensive and can secure your priority date while you assess the market. A full utility patent application involves attorney fees, USPTO filing fees, and potential illustration costs. During your initial consultation, we provide a clear estimate based on the specifics of your invention so there are no surprises.
What should I bring to an initial IP consultation?
Bring any documentation related to your invention or idea, including sketches, prototypes, technical descriptions, and notes about how it works and what problem it solves. If you have conducted a patent search or have prior art examples, bring those as well. The more information you share, the better we can assess patentability and outline next steps. All consultations are confidential.
Does Zale Patent Law handle patent litigation in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Zale Patent Law provides patent litigation support for Pennsylvania clients, including infringement analysis, cease-and-desist actions, and coordination with litigation counsel in Pennsylvania courts. Attorney Zale’s PA Bar admission and technical background in engineering give us a practical advantage in litigation matters throughout the state.
What industries does Zale Patent Law serve in Pennsylvania?
We serve Inventors and businesses across a wide range of technology sectors, including biomedical and medical devices, energy systems, aerospace and defense, computing and communications, and consumer products. You can review examples of our work on our patent portfolio page. Northeastern Pennsylvania has a proud history of innovation, and we are committed to helping local businesses protect their ideas.