Frequently Asked Patent Questions

The following are answers to questions we frequently encounter regarding patents and the patent application process.

 

1. Initial Considerations

• What is a Patent?
• What is an Invention?
• Patent Costs
  • How much does a patent cost?
  • How do I reduce patent costs?
• Timing
  • How long does it take to get a patent?
  • How can a delay in getting a patent help me?
• Do I need a design patent or a utility patent?
• Do I need a patent to sell my product or service?
• What if someone else invented with me?
• Should I create a prototype before applying for a patent on my invention?
• What is a NDA (NonDisclosure Agreement)?

2. Patent Searching and Opinions

• What is Prior Art?
• What is a patentabiliy search & opinion?
• What is a clearance or freedom to operate search & opinion?
• How do I find my competitor’s patents or patent applications?

3. Patent Application Drafting and Filing

• Should I start with a provisional or a non-provisional patent application?
• Should I write my own patent application?

4. Patent Pending/Prosecution after Filing

• What is patent pending?
• How to stop copiers during patent pending?
• What happens after the patent application is filed?

5. After the Patent is Granted

• When does my patent expire?

6. Foreign Patents and International Patent Applications

• Can I file an international patent application (PCT Patent Application)?