Patent Registration Process

A patent is a legal right which is given exclusively to the applicant to use an invention for a certain period of time.  The patent is issued in a legal document which provides the exclusive legal ownership to the invention.  Once this patent is issued, other individuals may not use, take, reproduce or sell the invention unless the patent holder has given the individuals permission to do so.

Filing for a Patent

In order to file for a patent, one must file an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, also known as “USPTO.”  Prior to filing the application, one must perform a patent search to ensure that there is no other invention already in existence.  If not, one can proceed with the application.  The application must include the invention’s specifications, an oath that the inventor created the idea and the patent cost according to the patent office schedule of fees.  Thereafter, the application is reviewed.  There may be objections and hearings regarding the application and the entire process can take years.

Provisional Patents

The USPTO also offers a “provisional patent” which provides for a lower cost patent filing option.  This option allows for an earlier effective filing date in a patent application and allows for the use of the phrase “patent pending” to be used in connection with the invention.  This application follows a different process than a traditional patent application.

Patent Registration Legal Help

If one seeks to file a patent, one may seek to consult with an experienced patent registration lawyer.  Patent law is a complex area of the law and the filing for a patent can be cumbersome.  An experienced attorney can file the application without problems and navigate easily through the system.