PREPARING A PATENT – INFORMATION
OVERVIEW
1 Get Info Pack
It includes:
Interested in getting started? Get the free info pack to find out more
Helping Inventors
- Patent
- Prototype
- Manufacture
- Commercialise
I
A patent application or patent may contain drawings, also called patent drawings, illustrating the invention, some of its embodiments (which are particular implementations or methods of carrying out the invention), or the prior art. The drawings may be required by the law to be in a particular form, and the requirements may vary depending on the jurisdiction.
Jurisdictions
See also
References and notes
Further reading
External links
to patent my idea what do I do now?
Request a free patent info pack on how to patent an idea. It includes information on the patent process,filing a patent application and approaching the UK patent office (IPO). To receive a pack, fill in your details on our Free Patenting Info Pack page. Please feel free to call us if the pack does not answer all your patenting questions.
What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
Intellectual Property is the overall term that refers to all forms of idea protection: patents, design rights,copyright and trade marks. Intellectual Property law can assign certain rights to the creator of: music, literature, artistic works, discoveries, inventions, designs and logos. In its literal sense, it is the property of your mind, or intellect, and, as such, can be claimed as your own and used in a similar way to commercial property: Intellectual Property can be bought, sold, licensed and even mortgaged.
The UK Patent Office is now called the UK Intellectual Property Office to affirm that they help with all forms of idea protection in the UK – not just patents!
What is in the Free Patent Info Pack?
It contains:
- a Booklet ‘Inventing for Profit’ – Vital Information covering: How to patent an idea, taking idea to market, design and prototype info;
- press articles about Innovate Design;
- an idea submission form;
- a confidentiality agreement and a freepost envelope.
Fill in the submission form and the confidentiality agreement and send it back to us in the Freepost envelope.
How do I know you aren’t going to steal my idea?
We send you two copies of a signed Confidentiality Agreement (in your free info pack) before you disclose the idea to us. This is a legally binding agreement that prevents us from disclosing the idea to any third party. Each party retains one copy of the agreement signed by both parties. We also adhere to the regulations of the BSI standards governing our industry: BS8538:2011 Specification for the provision of services relating to the commercialisation of intellectual property rights.
Can’t I just put my idea in front of industry now?
The idea needs to look credible and well presented to stand a chance in gaining the confidence of the industry. It also ideally needs to be protected. You only get one chance and the presentation should not be underestimated. Companies are more likely to support an idea if they can see it has been thought through and properly developed. Protection can also improve a product’s chance at market.
How does Innovate make money?
We have a variety of services we provide all with upfront costs. Once quoted, you are under no obligation to use our services and there are never any hidden costs. This allows the inventor to maintain 100% ownership of the intellectual property.
How much is all this going to cost?
The cost varies from project to project. Once you have received an information pack, send your idea to us and we will complete the free initial review to ascertain what potential costs may be associated with your project in moving it forward.
Can I get help financing the project?
Possibly. Firstly you would need to know what costs there may be in developing the project so you can calculate the funding level required. It will also depend at which stage you require funding and what opportunities are available to your project. A Client Manager can advise you on this. Innovate do not fund any projects themselves.
I have conducted a Google search and I am sure my idea doesn’t exist; do I still need to do a Patent Search?
Yes. You can never be certain your idea does not exist based on market searches. Patent searches include all applications ever filed, whether granted or not, as these all affect your application. This means that not all patent applications are marketed products.
I have conducted a Patent Search on the internet, do I still need to do a Worldwide Patent Search?
It is unlikely that you will be able to conduct a conclusive search and correctly interpret the results without prior experience of the patenting system. Many online databases are incomplete or inaccessible to foreign applications. Using a professional researcher can pay dividends in the long run. For more info about the importance of global patent searches click here: Global Patent Search
Can I patent a business idea?
No. You cannot patent a business idea unless it involves a new product idea. You also cannot patent a scientific or mathematical discovery, theory or method; a way of playing a game; a book, drama, piece of music or artistic work.
Can I patent software?
Not in the UK. It is not possible to patent software unless there is a product involved. The exception to the rule is America, where software can be patented – for more information on this seek the advice of a patent attorney. Software is usually covered by Copyright which is an automatic right assigned to any written or recorded work.
Can I patent a website idea?
No. The patent system exists to protect inventions or products and not websites.
I saw a product abroad but it is not in the UK, can I patent it here?
No. The idea is in the public domain and cannot be patented here.
What does “Patent Pending” mean?
“Patent Pending” means that an application for a patent has been filed at the UK Intellectual Property Office (previously known as the Patent Office). It is the same as “Patent Applied For.” There are laws preventing people using these phrases if it is not true. These phrases do not mean that the patent has been granted nor does it mean that it will be granted.
Can I get a Worldwide Patent?
No. The most far reaching international patent application is the PCT which covers 142 countries.
How long does a patent last?
The patent can be maintained for a maximum of twenty years.
Why is a patent so expensive?
A patent specification is a legal document that explains an idea and argues for its novelty and inventiveness. This can be filed as an application. Filing it as an application in the UK costs only around £250 and after this sum you might obtain a granted UK patent. Other countries will cost more, particularly where translation and foreign agents need to be involved. The high cost will typically lie in the drafting of the specification, as patent lawyers are highly trained professionals. You can however draft the specification yourself, although as a legal document it is best to involve professionals at some stage to ensure you do not waste your ideas.
Why bother filing a patent application? I hear patents cost a lot to defend.
Patent protection is by no means perfect and protection of a patent can be costly. Patents are however viewed as the strongest form of intellectual property and often even the presence of a granted or pending patent will be enough to warn others off stealing your idea. There are systems available in the UK that can be cost-effective, but the reality is that if someone is prepared to take legal action there is already a substantial amount of money involved.
Welcome to Innovation UK
Inventors! Do you have an invention or product idea, but don’t know what to do next? If so, we are Here to Assist You! Free information to help you gets started!
We are mad passionate about our inventing we hope you are too if you are you have come to the right place.
Our aim is to help you to achieve your dream of inventing. It could be a product that you think should be improved or it could be a completely new invention. Whatever your particular invention is, you are going to need a patent for the protection of your invention, so we have put together a pack to help you to do just that. We recommend you follow the links.
Whether you are a first time inventor or some way through your patent we can help by saving you not only time also money we recommend you follow the links.
Being an inventor myself, I know only too well of the problems that an inventor faces from putting together a patent to getting their invention into the market place.
How many times when a new invention appears, have you heard someone say, “I had the same idea years ago, but never did anything about it” Well if they never did anything about it then how can they expect to achieve anything with their inventing?
What we can do for you.
firms who would like to develop and market
You may have come a cross firms who would like to develop and market your idea and offer you free information in the guise of a kit or pack this is not what it seems it really is a way of getting you to part with your hard earned cash so lets have a closer look first you see a compamy on the web or television advertisment or television programme such as dragons den with millionaires around a table offering you thousands pounds to promote your idea well first that’s a nice little earner isnt it they sit there waiting for the next world stopping invention to make them more millions if they havent got enough money already but they seem to be offering you something for a percentage usually 50% which means that they only need 5% and they will own your invention. a offering you your idea who offer to help evaluate, develop and market your idea. For information on dealing with these companies refer to our Step-by-Step Guide to using Invention Promoters.
So you are thinking about the services of a patent agent, a patent agent could cost you at least seven thousand pounds according to our enquiries on the cost of a patent in today’s market, from start to finish. An agent will ask you for information about your invention such as how it works, photographs etc, working model if you have one which in our opinion it is best because it will help you to know how it works, see page 2 in the pack.2 On how it works and a down payment lets say £500 and in lets say in or their about three or four weeks you should receive the your first drafts proofs for your approval, when you are satisfied with the description of your invention and it should be noted that at this stage it is important to get your idea over clearly. A patent agent can only work on what you tell him or her although he or she will be expert enough to advise you on the best way forward, he or she will ask you for a further payment about £500 or there about and on receipt of payment he or she will submit your request to the patent office, then in about three or four weeks he or she will send you notification of your patent which means your patent has been given a filing date and it is from that date that your patent will run and be protected from, so no one can do the same invention the same as yours. It should be noted that you still should not disclose your idea because it is still possible for a company to modify if they learn about your invention, such as if you approach a company to manufacture or if a company approaches you, see page 10 in pack 2 marketing your invention then a search may be necessary if you haven’t already had one this will incur a cost around £300 according to what the search brings to light it may cost more if the result of the search is in your favour then you can move to the next stage which means that your patent agent will ask you for a further payment of around £500 for numbered specifications and abstract then a further search may be necessary and a further payment be required then he will ask you about your claims this is what you claim your invention claims so if you think there has been an infringement on your patent it is important to get your claims right because you may have to rely on them in a court of law the whole process is costly time consuming and complex and after all that if your invention does not quite make it you could be pouring money down the drain.
Our aim is to help you to achieve your dream of inventing.
Our aim is to help you to achieve your dream of inventing. It could be a product that you think should be improved or it could be a completely new invention. Whatever your particular invention is, you are going to need a patent for the protection of your invention, so we have put together a pack to help you to do just that. We recommend you follow the links.
A Patent you need for your idea is a very costly business employing a patent agent could cost you a minimum of £7,000 – £15,000 and if your invention does not quite make it you are pouring money down the drain 75% of new inventions never make it to the market place.
We Show You How You Can Get Your Patent With Very Little Cost Involved With You in Complete Control of Your Invention.
Now doesn’t that make sense everything you need to put your patent to together is in the pack a Patent is made up of a Description of your Invention numbered Specifications Drawings Claims and Abstract which seem very complex to someone that hasn’t put a patent together before.
We show you how you will be able to do it time and time again. So when you have another bright Idea you will have the pack to produce yet another patent so isn’t that a bright Idea to have the pack we think so and so will you once you start using it I am sure you will agree so what are you waiting for goinvent How can I do that you ask first take a good look at the information and links that take you to various categories on this site.
In the pack you will find the following sections;
- About our service
- What to do next
- The Non-Disclosure Agreement
- The Invention Description Form
The main documents are the Non-Disclosure Agreement that will enable us to exchange information in confidence, and an Invention Form. The Invention Form is a simple way of describing your invention and capturing the key information.
Inventors Pack
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO REGISTER AND GET YOUR PATENT FROM YOUR SPECIFICATIONS NUMBERED SPECIFICATIONS CLAIMS ABSTRACT DRAWINGS WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW TO DO ALL THIS AND MORE THE PACK WILL LEAD YOU THROUGH ALL THE PROCESS
STEP BY STEP WITH A NO NONSENSE APPROACH THE PACK WILLTELL YOU HOW MANY COPIES TO SEND
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT AND ALL THIS FOR £15.99 IN POST AND PACKAGE IF YOU WOULD LIKE IT SENT TO YOU BY POST ALLOW FOURTEEN DAYS
TWENTY ONE FOR OVERSEAS YOU CAN GET YOUR PACK RIGHT NOW BY CLICKING ON THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS
AND THERES MORE MUCH MORE REMEMBER YOU GET A CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT ABSOLUTELY FREE WORTH £50 SO THE PACK HASN’T
COST YOU ANYTHING IN FACT IT WILL NOT ONLY SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY BUT WILL HELP TO MAKE YOU A FORTUNE WHEN YOUR INVENTION
IS ON THE MARKET ANT WE CAN EVEN HELP YOU WITH THAT WITH (PACK 2)