Getting a patent is a great way to protect any new idea that you’ve come up with. However, there are guidelines and a process you have to follow in order to obtain one. Not every invention will qualify for a patent and some may take longer to approve than others. If you want to know some important information about applying for a patent and trademark law, continue reading.
1. You Should File First
The US is a file first country, which means that it is wise to file an application before you do any promotion of your invention. Everything you do before filing can have an effect on the outcome of your application, so it is always better to file as soon as you possibly can. You can put it a provisional patent application, which will protect your invention for 12 months and allow you to claim that you have a “patent pending”.
2. You Still Need to File a Non-Provisional Application
If you choose to file provisional patent application, you still need to file a non-provisional one sometime before your 12 month grace period is up. A provisional application is just an application, it does not grant you a lasting patent. It just gives you more time to go through the patent process without having to worry about your invention being stolen.
3. You Will Need Patent Drawings
Trademark law is complicated and detailed, which means that you are required to give a lot of detail when applying to trademark something. Detailed patent drawings are a great way to prove that you invented the thing you are trying to patent and that you have a full understanding of it. Usually at least one is required, although it doesn’t hurt your case to have more.
4. You Should Consider a Patent Lawyer
The process of getting approved for a patent is long and full of confusing laws. It is a wise idea to consider hiring a trademark lawyer to help you through the process. They will be able to break everything down for you in a way that makes sense and help you through each step.
No matter where you decide to start in the patent process, and whether or not you hire a lawyer, it is wise to be thorough. You want to be detailed and knowledgeable in every step of the process. This will help you to successfully obtain a patent without any serious hiccups.