Patent owners need to know their options and any implications of their decisions. Most of the time, patent owners really just want to know two things:
- How long will it take?
- How much will it cost?
How long will it take?
The most urgent patent work relates to preparing and filing a first patent application to secure a “priority date.” The time to secure the priority date is typically 2 weeks.
From the moment the priority date is secured, the client is as protected as they can be at that stage of the patenting process. Further deadlines in the patenting process are then determined by the patent office.
How much will it cost?
Patents are inexpensive for most companies.
The product costs accumulated during the planning, prototyping, designing, manufacturing and marketing of a product are often large. In many instances, the cost of obtaining a patent is actually negligible when compared with these development costs.
The cost for obtaining a granted patent is not initially payable at one time, which would be unduly arduous and unfair. Instead, patenting costs gradually accumulate over time.
Obtaining “patent pending” status in securing the priority date incurs only a portion of the total cost. It is this most critical step which preserves any potential rights that may later be granted in countries around the world.
Once that first application is filed, the patenting process generally involves delaying further costs, and only paying them in the event that patent rights are still commercially relevant.
If you have any questions on the above, please don’t hesitate to contact me.