A patent grants you exclusive rights to your invention for a limited time, preventing others from making, using, or selling it without your permission. In the US, utility patents last 20 years from the filing date and 15 years for design patents.
Design patents protect the ornamental appearance of an item, while utility patents protect how something works. Utility patents are generally more valuable but also more complex and expensive to obtain.
A provisional application establishes a filing date, a “patent pending” status, and gives you 12 months to file a non-provisional utility application. It’s like a placeholder, while a non-provisional is the “real” patent application that can mature into a granted patent.
Broad protection covers various versions of your invention and is harder for competitors to design around. Cheap patent services often result in narrow protection that competitors can easily avoid.
New improvements may require a new patent application. A good patent firm can help structure your initial application to cover reasonable variations.
Domestic (U.S.):
International:
It depends on your market. Remember that US patents only protect you in the US. International protection requires separate filings in other countries.
Yes, but you must file your application within one year of your first public disclosure, sale, or offer for sale. However, you’ll lose patent rights in many foreign countries if you disclose before filing.
You’ll need to enforce your rights through litigation. This is another reason why having a well-written patent is crucial – weak patents are harder and more expensive to enforce. We do not work in litigation but we can make some recommendations.
Patent Services
USPTO Proceedings
Strategy and Counseling
Types of Patent Applications and Services
Our practitioners can draft almost anything however, we do specialize advanced physics, electronics, and software/AI.
If we do not feel qualified to take on a case, we will decline in the best interest of our clients. Some of the fields we have represented are:
Before we take on any clients, we like to start with a video call, phone call, or an in-person meeting where we can discuss your invention, your goals, and answer your questions.
Then have a very simple web-based process to sign the contract and collect any information we will need to represent you and your inventions.
Be prepared to discuss
Consider bringing:
No. We specialize in only the prosecution of patents.
We prefer to bill upfront and hold the funds in escrow until the work is satisfactorily completed. However, you can select from flat-fee packages, competitive hourly rates, and flexible payment plans. Whatever works for you, we are here to help.
The U.S. is a “first-to-file” system. Additionally, public disclosures start a one-year deadline to file and international rights require filing before any public disclosure. The earlier you can get a filing date, the stronger protection against competitors you will have.
It depends on your situation. While a provisional is cheaper initially, it must be well-written to be valuable. A poorly written provisional can doom your later non-provisional application.
Having an experienced practitioner can help avoid unnecessary delays from USPTO rejections.
We have an online disclosure form to collect most information. Otherwise it’s a good idea to email us:
No, but you must be able to describe your invention in enough detail that someone skilled in the field could make and use it.
Costs vary widely based on:
Typical ranges (including all fees):
Utility patents require maintenance fees at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years after grant to keep the patent in force. Factor these costs into your budget planning.
Yes, many investors are interested in “patent pending” inventions, but they’ll often want to see that you’ve worked with a reputable patent practitioner to ensure the patent will be valuable when granted.
Be extremely cautious of unusually low fees. These often result in narrow patent protection or applications that won’t withstand USPTO scrutiny. Remember: a poorly written patent is worse than no patent at all, as you’ve disclosed your invention without gaining meaningful protection.
While legally possible, representing yourself (going “pro se”) in patent matters is extremely risky. Even small mistakes in wording can make your patent unenforceable or severely limit its scope. We do offer pro se assistance if truly desired.
Many reputable attorneys offer payment plans or can help prioritize what to protect first. It’s better to have one well-written patent than multiple weak ones. Some also offer initial consultations to help you plan your strategy.
A skilled patent practitioner helps craft broad protection, anticipates future market developments, handles USPTO objections, and ensures your patent will hold up if challenged. They’re trained in both technical fields and law, offering expertise you can’t get elsewhere.
Look for registration with the USPTO—ours is #80,375. Both patent attorneys and patent agents must pass the same rigorous patent bar exam and maintain active registration. Both are qualified to handle USPTO filings and proceedings. Be wary of non-registered persons or invention promotion companies.
