Patent Prosecution
We guide your invention through the complete USPTO process — from patentability search through drafting, filing, office actions, and grant.
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Patent & IP Law · Fargo, ND
Your Innovation.
Your Innovation.
Protected.
Patent prosecution, trademark registration, and IP strategy for startups and manufacturers in North Dakota and beyond.
Practice Areas
Comprehensive IP Counsel
From your first patent application through building a full IP portfolio — precise, strategic, and personal.
Trademark Registration
Protect your brand identity — name, logo, or slogan — with comprehensive trademark clearance, filing, and registration before the USPTO.
Learn more →IP & Corporate Strategy
Strategic IP counsel for growing companies — licensing agreements, portfolio planning, freedom-to-operate opinions, and business formation.
Learn more →Trade Secret Protection
Safeguard your confidential processes, formulas, and proprietary information through legally robust non-disclosure agreements and protection strategies.
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Why Fargo Patent Law
Precision Over Volume
Direct Attorney Access
Your matter is handled personally by an experienced patent attorney — from the first call through the final filing. No associates. No handoffs. No surprises.
Technical Depth
With an engineering background spanning mechanical, electrical, and software innovations, Tom understands your technology — not just the legal forms around it.
Fargo-Rooted, USPTO-Registered
A licensed USPTO practitioner serving North Dakota innovators, manufacturers, and startups since the firm's founding. Local knowledge, federal reach.
Meet the Founder
Tom Kading
USPTO Registered Patent Attorney · Founder · Fargo, ND
Tom Kading founded Fargo Patent Law on a belief that drives everything the firm does: your attorney should understand both your legal needs and your business dreams. A former entrepreneur with an engineering background, Tom has sat on the other side of the table — he knows what it means to protect an idea that represents years of work and real financial risk.
The Fargo Patent Law team brings over 65 years of combined patent experience to every matter. Tom's personal involvement ensures that every IP strategy is grounded in your actual business objectives, not just the legal minimum.
"We see you as a whole person, not just a matter number or a billable hour."Meet Our Full Team
Client Results
Trusted by Innovators
"Tom handled our patent portfolio with a level of care and technical understanding we hadn't found at larger firms. He speaks engineer, not just legalese."
"We needed a patent attorney who understood manufacturing processes at a deep level. Tom delivered exactly that — on time and with clear communication every step."
"From our first call, it was clear the team was personally invested in protecting our innovation. That kind of direct access makes a real difference when filing decisions matter."
Resources
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IP Knowledge Base
Do I Need a Patent Attorney in Fargo, ND — or Can I File a Patent Myself?
Understand the real risks of pro se patent filing and what a registered USPTO attorney actually does to protect your invention.
What Does Patent Prosecution Cost in North Dakota?
A transparent breakdown of USPTO fees, attorney fees, and total costs for utility, design, and provisional patent applications.
Patent, Trademark, or Trade Secret: What Should Your Business Protect First?
A practical framework for North Dakota startups and manufacturers deciding which type of IP protection creates the most business value.
FAQ
Common Questions
What types of patents does Fargo Patent Law handle?
Fargo Patent Law handles utility patents, design patents, and provisional patent applications across a wide range of technologies including mechanical, electrical, software, agricultural equipment, industrial manufacturing, and consumer products.
How long does the patent process take in North Dakota?
The USPTO typically takes 2–3 years to examine a utility patent application. Filing a provisional patent application gives you 12 months of "patent pending" status immediately. Fargo Patent Law works to optimize your application for the fastest possible path to grant.
Does Fargo Patent Law serve clients outside of North Dakota?
Yes. As registered USPTO patent attorneys, the team at Fargo Patent Law represents clients before the USPTO regardless of their location. While headquartered in Fargo, the firm regularly works with clients throughout the Midwest and across the United States.
What is the difference between a patent and a trademark?
A patent protects an invention — a new process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter — for up to 20 years. A trademark protects brand identifiers such as names, logos, and slogans that distinguish your goods or services in the marketplace, with renewable 10-year terms.