Mississippi Patent of the Month – May 2025
Blossman Services Inc. has unveiled a patented system that automates and secures the refueling of liquefied petroleum (LP) gas tanks. Filed under U.S. Patent Application No. 20250155084, titled [...]
Oil and Gas Case Study
SafeMark Gas Experts, with over 40 years in gas detection, offers safety solutions to American infrastructure and resource companies, maintaining its reputation through regular R&D. In March 2013, SafeMark identified a need for a flammable material detection guard, leading to Project Flame Guard in April 2013. The project’s hypothesis was that SafeMark could design an improved guard with innovative features for detecting flammable materials. To qualify for the Research and Experimentation Tax Credit, SafeMark ensured its “qualified research” met The Four-Part Test developed by Congress. SafeMark declared several activities as R&D work, including the design and development of prototypes to achieve technical objectives, with experiments mainly consisting of computer modeling, conceptual engineering drawings, and mathematical calculations. These experiments were validated during the prototype development and testing phase. Background research to evaluate knowledge gaps and determine feasibility also qualified, encompassing literature reviews, consultations with industry professionals and suppliers, and preliminary equipment reviews. Ongoing analysis of customer feedback to improve prototype design, including efficiency and safety testing, development, modification, and commercial analysis, was also deemed eligible R&D. Qualified research is defined as research for developing new or improved business components, which can be any product, process, technique, invention, formula, or computer software intended for sale, lease, license, or use in the taxpayer’s trade or business. The Four-Part Test requires a permitted purpose (new or improved functionality), elimination of uncertainty, a process of experimentation, and activities that are technological in nature, relying on hard sciences. SafeMark maintained documentation such as background research, meeting notes, conceptual sketches, design drawings, and emails to prove its R&D activities and ensure compliance readiness for potential IRS audits. Click here to learn more.