The patent process is complicated, and it can be easy to get bogged down with the paperwork. When a patent is written, the technical details that describe the invention have to be very specific. In addition, the right type of patent has to be applied for.
Protecting new product inventions may be accomplished by a combination of patent and trademark protection. An issued patent allows you to prevent others from making using or selling the patented invention for a predetermined time. You are entitled to apply for a patent on an invention for a new, useful and non-obvious invention of your design if the invention is patentable subject matter. You have one year from the date of first publication or offer for sale or disclosure to the public to file for a patent in the United States Patent Office however, to protect potential international patent rights, you must file before disclosing or offer for sale.
The first step is to search to find prior art related to your invention. A patentability report analyzes the results to determine the relevance to the subject invention and estimate the impact on your application for patent protection. After a reasonable search, a determination is made regarding the opportunity for patent protection, the cost to draft and file a patent application and the schedule.
Writing a patent is technical work, and this is why hiring a Chicago patent attorney is important. Applied Patent Services helps inventors write and file patent applications to protect great ideas.
Have a Chicago Patent Attorney Check Over Your Application
When you are working on a limited budget, you can do technical drawings and fill out paperwork on your own. Once your work is complete, you can have Applied Patent Services check over the application for completion. If there are any issues, Attorney Palmatier will go over the problems with you and make recommendations to change your application.