Patent Law

Patent Attorney in Indianapolis

16 Years of Litigation Experience Behind Every Patent We File

Katie Charleston Law, PC handles patent law matters for inventors, entrepreneurs, and businesses in Indianapolis and throughout Indiana. Attorney Katie Charleston brings more than 16 years of legal experience, including a background in litigation and appeals, which shapes how we approach patent protection from the start. A patent is only as strong as your ability to enforce it, and that perspective is built into every matter we handle.

We’re admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of Indiana and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, so we can take a matter from initial application through federal enforcement without handing your case off.

Ready to protect your invention? Call Katie Charleston Law, PC at (463) 363-0211 to discuss your patent needs with our team.

Patent Services We Handle

Our patent practice covers the full range of matters an inventor or business is likely to face: prior art searches, patent application preparation and prosecution, patent infringement claims, and IP enforcement. Whether you’re filing for the first time or responding to a challenge, we work with you through every stage.

We also handle trademark and copyright matters, so clients with growing intellectual property portfolios don’t need multiple firms. One attorney who knows your full IP picture is a practical advantage when rights overlap or disputes arise.

Why Katie Charleston’s Background Matters for Patent Law

Katie earned her JD from Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 2007, graduating with honors and earning a Certificate in Written and Oral Advocacy. She received the Traynor Honor Society award and competed in Moot Court and Negotiation at McGeorge, training that translates directly into the precision required for patent claims drafting and prosecution.

Her litigation experience spans bench and jury trials from pleadings through verdict, plus mediation, arbitration, and appellate work. That range matters in patent law, where a poorly drafted claim or a missed enforcement window can undermine years of development. Katie is licensed in Indiana, California, Florida, Nevada, and Texas, and is admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court and the Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits. Katie Charleston Law, PC has been featured in ABC, CBS, NASDAQ, Yahoo Finance, and GoBankingRates.

Patent Infringement: What It Means & What We Can Pursue

Patent infringement occurs when someone makes, uses, sells, or imports a patented invention without authorization. Our patent infringement practice covers the primary recognized types: direct infringement, induced infringement, and contributory infringement.

We also apply the doctrine of equivalents in infringement analysis. This doctrine means a patent can be infringed even when a competing product uses different materials or components, as long as those components function in substantially the same way to achieve the same result. It closes the gap that might otherwise allow minor variations to sidestep a patent’s protection.

Direct Infringement & Burden of Proof

Under 35 U.S. Code Section 271, direct infringement doesn’t require intent. A party that commercializes a product without first verifying it doesn’t infringe an existing patent bears that risk regardless of what they knew. In civil cases, the patent holder must prove infringement by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning it’s more likely than not that infringement occurred.

Remedies We Can Pursue

Depending on the facts, available remedies include injunctions to stop the infringing activity, recovery of estimated lost profits, unpaid royalties, and potentially attorney fees and court costs. Documenting infringement and preserving evidence early can strengthen the case for the full range of remedies. We work to move quickly when infringement is ongoing.

Continue Reading Read Less

Five-Star Client Reviews

In their Own Words

Our highest priority is providing top-notch representation for our clients, and it shows in our reviews. Read through some below, or call us at (463) 363-0211 today to get started.

"I would highly recommend Katie to other potential clients."
Attorney Katie Charleston examined a copyright issue that I raised regarding a future book to be published. She did an excellent job. Her advisory letter was clear, concise, and covered the issues well. I would highly recommend Katie to other potential

- Dane S.
"A Great Communicator"
Katie was very professional throughout this process and was very responsive throughout all of our correspondence. She always answered all of our questions and is a great communicator!!!!!

- Tyeisha B.
"They Really Know Their Stuff"
Katie and Hannah are absolutely marvelous to chat with and really know their stuff. If someone is infringing on your trademark rights, this is who you want in your corner. Cheers!

- Peter Q.
"It Meant So Much to Me"
I started a new media platform and it did not goes as planned. They definitely kept checking up on me to ensure they were there when I was ready. 100% customer service. Her follow-up meant a lot to me.

- Tara S.
"Couldn't Be Happier"
Katie was so helpful when it came to our family trust. She spent a lot of time with us and never hurried the process. We could not be happier with the service from her and her staff.

- Steve M.
"Professional and Timely"
Katie prepared an update to an existing trust, plus provided additional documents, such as a financial power of attorney that the previous lawyer had not done. She did a very professional job, and a timely one.

- Barbara C.
"Personable & Extremely Thorough"
When we created our business, Katie was able to work with our crazy schedules with zoom calls and in-person meetings. She is personable, articulate, and extremely thorough and I trust her.

- Goldwood Studios
"She Gave Me Peace of Mind"
I wanted to have peace of mind when hiring someone I had never worked with before, and Katie provided that. She was professional, thorough, meticulous, and made sure I had all of my risks covered in the agreement.

- Tim S.

View More Reviews

Utility Patents, Design Patents, & Provisional Applications

The two most common patent types protect fundamentally different things. Knowing which one fits your invention is the right place to start.

Utility Patents
A utility patent protects how an invention works, including machines, processes, compositions of matter, and improvements to existing inventions. Protection lasts 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees paid at set intervals.

Design Patents
A design patent protects the ornamental appearance of a manufactured article, its unique shape or surface decoration rather than its function. Protection lasts 15 years from the date of issuance, with no maintenance fees required.

Provisional Patent Applications
A provisional application establishes a priority filing date and lets an inventor use “patent pending” status for 12 months. A full non-provisional application must be filed within that window or the priority date is lost. For inventors who need time to refine a product or explore licensing before committing to the full application cost, it’s a practical first step.

Once a patent expires, the invention enters the public domain. Monitoring patent timelines and considering licensing opportunities before expiration are worth planning well in advance.

Talk to a Patent Attorney in Indianapolis

If you have an invention to protect or a potential infringement issue to address, we’re ready to help. Contact us through our online form.

Call Katie Charleston Law, PC at (463) 363-0211 or reach out through our online contact form to get started.

How the Patent Application Process Works

For first-time inventors, the patent process can feel opaque. Here’s a realistic picture of what to expect from search through grant.

Prior Art Search

The process begins with a prior art search to determine whether the invention, or something close to it, has already been patented. Filing without this step risks rejection and wasted fees. A thorough search also informs how the claims are drafted, which directly affects the scope of protection the patent ultimately provides.

Preparing & Filing the Application

A patent application filed with the USPTO must contain enough detail to allow a person with ordinary skill in the relevant field to make and use the invention. It must also include one or more claims precisely defining the scope of protection sought. Claims drafting is among the most consequential steps in the process: claims that are too narrow leave gaps a competitor can exploit, while claims that are too broad invite rejection.

Patent Prosecution

After filing, the application enters patent prosecution. A USPTO examiner reviews it and either allows it or issues an office action identifying objections. Responding to office actions typically requires both legal and technical argument, and prosecution can involve multiple rounds before a patent is granted, rejected, or appealed. Note that prosecuting a patent application before the USPTO on behalf of an inventor requires specific authorization to do so in that capacity, which is distinct from general law practice.

Throughout this process, having an attorney whose background includes federal patent litigation means your application can be drafted with enforcement in mind, not just approval.

Continue Reading Read Less

Contact Us Today

Get Experience On Your side

Call (463) 363-0211 or fill out the form below to get started with a consultation.

Consultation rate is $250 for 30 minutes.

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to be contacted about your request & other information using automated technology. Message frequency varies. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Acceptable Use Policy

We Research Thoroughly

Detail-oriented, we leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of favorable outcomes for our clients--and often find information you didn't know you needed.
Simplifying the Process

We explain legal concepts in plain language, guide our clients through each step of the process, and handle the details so you can focus on what matters most to you.
Comprehensive Approach

With holistic service from beginning to end, we stick with our clients through the lifetime of your assets, including litigation if necessary.
Responsive & Reachable

We prioritize timely communcation; our team is responsive and accessible, and you'll never be left wondering where your case stands.