STEP 1:
LEARN ABOUT PATENTS. READ OUR PATENT FAQ.
STEP 2:
WRITE DOWN YOUR IDEA ON PAPER, INCLUDE DATE, DESCRIPTION AND DRAWINGS.
STEP 3:
CALL A REGISTERED PATENT ATTORNEY OR CALL US AT (866) 409-9111.
A Patent Attorney under the attorney-client privilege provisions must keep all client information confidential. By using a Patent Attorney all your information is kept confidential. Even information disclosed over the phone while seeking representation cannot be disclosed by the Patent Attorney. Failure to protect client information can cause such Patent Attorneys to lose their attorney license. Patent Attorneys can also assist you because of their patent expertise.
STEP 4:
CONDUCT A PATENT SEARCH (OPTIONAL).
Although this step is optional and will add to the cost of the patent process, a patent search can uncover inventions similar to yours, at which point it can be evaluated whether your patent application should be filed. In some cases, a Patent Attorney can use the similar inventions uncovered to draft a better patent application for you.
STEP 5:
HAVE THE PATENT ATTORNEY DRAFT THE PATENT APPLICATION FOR YOUR REVIEW.
STEP 6:
REVIEW THE PATENT APPLICATION AND RETURN TO PATENT ATTORNEY.
STEP 6
HAVE THE PATENT ATTORNEY FILE THE PATENT APPLICATION AT THE U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE.
After the patent application is filed, it takes anywhere from one – four years to review by the patent office. After review, the patent office can then allow the patent application to issue into a patent. In other cases, the patent application may be disallowed. If this happens, work with your patent attorney to determine how best to respond to the patent office action to obtain a positive outcome. |
