How Does Getting a Patent Work?

Have you finally come up with that great idea that is going to make you wealthy? Maybe you have developed some proprietary software for your business, or you developed a superior way to perform a service that gives you a leg up on your competitors.

We’re going to discuss when you need to get a patent and what is involved in the process.

When It Is Time to Apply for a Patent

While you don’t want to rush ahead and patent an incomplete idea (this would make it much tougher to file paperwork or to prove that someone copied your idea since it’s only partially laid out), you also can’t wait until someone beats you to the punch. If you have developed any of the great ideas mention above or have any other intellectual property that you want to have protected, you only have one year from the time you disclose your idea or invention to shield it with a patent. So don’t sit on your idea for too long.

What Steps Are Involved in Getting a Patent?

The process of obtaining a patent is outlined by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The basic process is:

  1. Learn if your invention qualifies to be patented.
  2. Find out what type of patent is required.
  3. Prepare to apply for the patent.
  4. Submit the application.
  5. Get patent approval.
  6. Maintain patent approval.

Do you still need to do a patent search if you’ve never seen anything like your idea on the market? The answer is yes because someone may have patented the idea but never actually produced it. The patent will still protect the idea if it has not been allowed to expire.

Help in Protecting Your Intellectual Property in San Diego

If you are a small business owner in San Diego or the surrounding neighborhoods and you have intellectual property (IP) that may require a patent for protection, contact Pokala Law APC today. We have the experience to help small business owners protect themselves and their IP. Call 1-844-695-1487 to learn more.

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