If you’re new to the process of protecting your rights to your invention by applying for a patent, you’re in the right place. This page will direct you to basic information about U.S. and international patents.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requires you to disclose any publication, patent or other written document that you know to be relevant to your patent. Failure to do so could disqualify your patent, even after the USPTO issues it. 3. Choose the type of protection. Back to the pair of scissors that you made.
A provisional patent is a temporary filing that secures an early priority date but does not grant enforceable rights. A non-provisional patent undergoes full examination and can lead to a granted patent. 3. How much does it cost to get a patent? Patent costs vary based on complexity.
The USPTO endorses its Patent Center as the go-to resource for electronic submission and management of patent applications. Opting to file your patent electronically through this system allows you to prepare, upload, and pay all required filing documents and fees for your new application.
Patent description. A patent description should include your invention’s name, purpose, components or steps, how the components interact, or how the steps are enacted. It should also include instructions for the invention’s use, descriptions to accompany drawings, and the benefits or alternative uses. Patent drawings.
To patent something, you must be the original inventor of the item you’re seeking to patent. Also, to get a patent on something, it must not have been publicly disclosed prior to you filing a patent application. In the event that a product is already being offered to the public, you cannot patent it because it is not novel (new), but rather ...
To get a U.S. patent, you must file an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. A patent application is a complex legal document, best prepared by one trained to prepare such documents. There are two types of patent applications: Non-provisional application, which includes: (1) A written document which comprises a specification ...
How to Get a Patent Without an Attorney. Obtaining a patent on an invention is a way to secure your exclusive rights. However, hiring a patent lawyer can be pricey. On the one hand, if the patent is complex or raises complicated legal issues, paying a lawyer's fee might be a wise investment, given that a lawyer's expertise and judgment are necessary to protect your interests.
The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issues patents for new machines or processes, not the mere idea of a machine or process. Before you can get something patented, you have to have an initial design to show how it functions. At that point, you can file a provisional application.
2. Design patents . Design patents safeguard ornamental designs, protecting the visual appearance of a product, such as the unique shape of a smartphone or the pattern on a fabric. Despite a 17% increase in patent filings as of 2022, design patents are still considered rarely applied compared to utility patents. 3. Plant patents
Learn the basics of patents in the United States and foreign countries, including what types of patents are available, how to identify your IP, and how to apply for a patent. Find answers to common questions and resources to help you through the patenting process.
Once granted, utility patents provide protection for up to 20 years from the filing date, subject to maintenance fees. Design. Design patents safeguard the ornamental design of functional items, focusing on visual characteristics rather than utility. These patents are suitable when a product’s unique appearance is a key factor in its ...
9. Patent Grant and Maintenance: Maximizing the Value of Your Intellectual Property Portfolio. If the patent examination process is successful, the patent will be granted, and the inventor or business will receive a patent grant. This marks the official recognition of the invention\’s uniqueness and the exclusive rights granted to the patent ...
U.S. patent law states that an invention can't be patented if it is already available to the public before the application is filed, or if another patent or patent application was filed describing the same claimed invention. Whether you're filing a design or utility patent, the USPTO operates on the "first to file" principle.
Utility Patent – granted for a process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter. A utility patent protects the way an article is used. Design Patent – granted for an ornamental design for an article of manufacture. A design patent protects the way an article looks. Plant Patent – granted for a distinct and new variety of ...
A patent is a grant from the government to the patent owner (generally, the inventor, applicant, or an assignee who received the rights over the patent) for “the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling” the invention in the United States or “importing” the invention into the United States.
Patent Center. File and manage patent applications online. Patent fees. View fees and pay online. Check application status. Check patent application status in Patent Center. Global Dossier. View international patent filings. Electronic Business Center. Support center for help with Patent Center and other electronic services. Patent data ...
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