Opposing the Patents of Others
Historically, the patent offices of many countries provide procedures for preventing your competitors from obtaining a patent for an invention that is not indeed new. Japan and most European countries (including in the European Patent Office) provide "opposition" procedures that can be used to oppose the patents of others. In addition, the recently enacted America Invents Act provides similar pre- and post-grant submission procedures for opposing U.S. patents of others. Tech Valley Patent also provides services for assisting clients in opposing the granting of U.S. and foreign patents of, for example, your competitors.