Learn The Process and Steps of a Patent

Learning the process and steps of a patent can be challenging and at times unclear. However, it is important to understand the process and steps when obtaining the desired patent. Therefore, the process and steps of a patent starts with an invention.

The invention needs to be new, useful, and non-obvious or be of a new aesthetic design. Once the inventor conceives of the idea, the inventor may be able to file for a patent application before proceeding to development of the invention.

Once the inventor submits their patent application for a patent to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), they will generally receive an approval or denial letter from the USPTO within 1-2 years.

If approved, their patent application will turn into a patent within about 4 months from the approval date.

PROCESS AND STEPS To Patenting Your Idea

The process and steps to patenting your idea has plenty of moving parts and requires time to complete the process. If you are doing this alone, then it helps to have a complete understanding of the patent law and regulations.  A patent can add significant value to your business, giving you the exclusive right to your invention.

In this article, we will walk through the details associated with the patenting process. Whether you are new to the patent process or have experience with patenting inventions, this guide will provide you with valuable insights into patenting and help you protect your intellectual property.

What is a patent?

The United States Constitution provides a particularly useful patent definition: “[Congress shall have power] to promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries.” 

Another definition is that patents are public-private partnerships. 

Inventors share their discoveries in exchange for monopolies from the US Patent Office. Under current laws, this last for 20 years.

Patents specifically protect inventions and innovations. If you have an idea for a physical invention or a new complex process, it has value to you because it has the potential for you to make money. That’s also true, however, for anyone who has the desire to make a profit from your idea. This is why patents work.

For example, pharmaceutical companies, for example, spend the hundreds of millions of dollars necessary to invent and then safely bring life-saving drugs to the market because they know that they will make billions in revenue during the life of a patent.

Then, after the patent expires, the entire World has access to cheap generic versions of the drug. When it works the way it’s supposed to, it’s a win-win.

How does a Patent protect your invention?

Once you’ve submitted a patent application to the patent office (USPTO) for review, your application is “patent pending”.

That gives you priority over anyone else who tries to implement your idea. If your patent pending becomes a registered patent, it also means that you can sue for damages that accrued after the application date of the application filing.

It also means that another inventor with the same idea or concept can’t come after you and get a patent for your invention.

If someone tries to steal or use your patented invention, a U.S. patent lawyer can file an injunction and pursue damages from the violator.

Our attorneys can help you submit an application to protect your invention. We offer attorney client relationship, and we can begin the provisional application process today. Filing patent applications is our specialty!

Determine if Your Invention is Patentable

To determine if your invention is patentable, you need to first review the criteria set out by the USPTO. To be eligible for a patent, an idea must be new, have uses in the real world, and not be obvious.

It must also be tangible, not an abstract idea or a law of nature. It is also important to consider whether the invention has already been patented, as the USPTO will not grant a patent for an invention that is already in the public domain.

Finally, it must be able to be produced with commercially available materials or processes. If your idea satisfies all of these requirements, there is a good chance that it can be protected by a patent.

I checked this in CopyLeaks and no plagiarism

What can be patented?

You can patent anything under the sun-so long as the idea is novel, non-obvious and useful. With respect to utility patents, the most common type of patent, your invention must be a:

• Process: A mode of treatment of certain materials to produce a given result. It is an act, or a series of acts, performed upon the subject-matter to be transformed and reduced to a different state or thing;
• Machine: A concrete thing, consisting of parts, or of certain devices and combination of devices;
• Manufacture: A tangible article that is given a new form, quality, property, or combination through man-made or artificial means; or
• Composition: A combination of two or more substances, and includes all composite articles.

Your invention must also be novel, or new, meaning that it is not covered under an existing patent.

What cannot be patented?

You cannot patent abstract ideas or laws of nature and natural phenomena.

Our patent attorneys can help you distinguish whether your invention is obvious or not.

Why not abstract ideas? Because courts recognize that the availability of basic concepts are important to the furtherance of knowledge and invention, inventors may not invent an abstract idea.

Inventors can, however, file an application for an abstract idea. For example, no one can obtain a patent for space travel, but they can get a patent for a particular type of rocket.

The reason for laws of nature and natural phenomena is because the United States Patent (USPTO) does not issue patents for the laws of nature, natural phenomena, or the products of nature.

Natural occurrences, like light, sound, and gravity cannot be the subjects of a patent application, but flashlights, speakers, and jet packs can.

Before you apply for a patent

Anyone who is considering applying for a patent should take these simple steps to ensure the best possible chance of success.

1. Document Your Invention – While you’re developing your invention and preparing your application for patent, you should keep meticulous records and make certain that they are in a secure location. This could be vital for if there are any future court challenges to your patent.
2. Make Sure Your Invention Qualifies – Your invention must be new, useful, and not obvious to members of the general public. If you have any concerns about this, you should consult a U.S. patent attorney.
3. Do a Patent Search – It’s important that you don’t expend time, energy, and money trying to get a patent for something that’s already protected under the law. Patent research can be time-consuming, but it will also save you time and possibly professional embarrassment before the application process. More importantly, even if a similar patent exists, your invention may still be patentable if you modify it to make it significantly different.

How to obtain a patent?

Obtaining a patent is the first step in protecting your invention. The process of obtaining a patent can be long and expensive, but it is worth it for the protection that you will receive.

The USPTO outlines the steps that your patent application goes through before it can be approved, and you receive a patent.

The good news is that unless your patent is eventually rejected, your invention is protected from the point that it comes under review.

There are three main points to know before obtaining a patent:

• Prior Art – Before the Patent Office can move forward with your patent application, the examiner will review both approved and abandoned third party applications. If your invention matches this “prior art,” it will be ineligible for a patent.
• Points of Novelty – In order to obtain a patent, the description of your invention must be both novel and distinct. Without examining the points of novelty, the patent office (USPTO) would be issuing patents for wide categories of products, which could make pursuing claims problematic. In addition, the patent examiner must clearly understand what your invention does and how it is different from existing inventions.
• Enablement Requirement – Your invention has to be something that someone “skilled in the art” can make and use. This caveat ensures that the invention can be communicated to the public in a meaningful way.

Learn more about “8 Steps You Need to Take to Obtain a Patent”

Your role in the patent process?

You don’t necessarily have to be an inventor to obtain a patent. The patent law recognizes several categories of applicants:

• Inventor – The inventor can be a person, team, or a corporation, but the inventor is the entity responsible for the creation of the invention;
• Owner – The inventor doesn’t automatically own the right to the product or patent. In many cases, an inventor is working for an employer who legally has the right to anything invented by that employee;
• Client – If the inventor is in the employment of the client, the client will generally have contractual ownership of the invention if it’s within the scope of that legal arrangement.

MAINTAIN YOUR PATENT OVER TIME

It is important to renew your patent(s) before they expire. If you do not take this vital step, then your patent will expire.

Registered patents must be renewed, with a maintenance fee (filing fees), at 4 years, 8 years, and 12 years after registration. You can pay six months before the filing date to renew your patent, but if you allow your patent to expire, your invention will be abandoned and unprotected unless and until your patent is reinstatement.

OVERSEAS PATENT PROTECTION

Depending on the type of product and the scope of the market you’re envisioning, you may require patent protection in non-U.S. markets.

Unfortunately, a U.S. patent and trademark office only protects you in the United States and the territories it has jurisdiction over. That may not be sufficient to protect your intellectual property.

How Can You Protect Your Idea Before You Get a Patent?

To protect your idea before you get a patent, there are several steps you can take. First, it is important to keep your idea (invention) confidential until you are ready to reveal it to the world.

You can do this by using a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect the confidentiality of your invention and to prevent others from using or disclosing it without your permission.

Copyright protection can also be used to protect how your ideas are expressed, such as in drawings or written descriptions of the invention.

Finally, you ought to think about submitting a provisional patent application. This will allow you to indicate that your invention is “patent pending” and stop others from submitting comparable patent applications in the US for up to a year.

No matter what form of protection you choose, it is important to remember that protecting your invention before filing for a patent is essential.

Want to know how much a patent will cost you? Read our blog about “HOW MUCH DOES A PATENT COST? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING!“

Do You Need an Attorney to Get a Patent?

Do you need help with patenting an idea? It is possible to obtain a patent without the assistance of an attorney or hiring a law firm. However, it is recommended that applicants contact a qualified patent lawyer when looking to obtain patent protection.

Getting a patent is an important step. An attorney can help to ensure that the patent application is properly prepared and filed. They can also provide advice on potential issues that may arise during the patent application process.

Additionally, a patent attorney can help to ensure that all relevant prior art has been properly considered. As well, as, they can assist in the drafting of the claims to maximize the scope of protection sought.

PROCESS AND STEPS OF A PATENT CONCLUSION

The process and steps of obtaining a patent can be simple for some, but not for others. The Leavitt & Eldredge Law Firm patent attorneys can help answer any questions you may have about the patent process.

GET STARTED TODAY TO PROTECT YOUR INVENTION

Are you asking where can I patent an idea? You can do this yourself through the USPTO or hire a patent lawyer. We understand that hiring an attorney or doing this yourself can be overwhelming. If you choose to hire us, we will have an attorney-client relationship from the start. Whether you need a utility patent, design patent, or plant patent, our staff is ready to help you begin this process.

If you decide to do this by yourself, we recommend visiting the USPTO website. You can learn more about how to get started there. Be sure to do a patent research and learn if you require a provisional patent application or a non-provisional application.

When hiring us to protect your intellectual property, we offer legal representation on how a patent protects your invention. Ready to begin? We offer a Free Phone Consultation to help you get started.