{"id":24948,"date":"2015-10-22T18:46:11","date_gmt":"2015-10-22T10:46:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/?p=24948"},"modified":"2022-10-09T21:22:30","modified_gmt":"2022-10-09T13:22:30","slug":"applying-for-patents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/applying-for-patents\/","title":{"rendered":"Entrepreneurs: 10 Things You Should Know About Patents"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Once inspiration hits an inventor or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/entrepreneur-defined\/\">entrepreneur<\/a>, <strong>the race is on<\/strong> to patent the idea, put together a prototype, start manufacturing, and get it out on the market <strong>before somebody else does<\/strong>. The first component of the aforementioned process of getting to market, obtaining a patent, is <strong>a subject that generates a lot of confusion<\/strong>, especially for those new to the world of patenting.<\/p>\n<p>Without a patent, there is always the risk of a competitor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/when-someone-steals-your-idea\/\">stealing an original idea<\/a>, so <strong>obtaining intellectual property protection is crucial<\/strong>. With that in mind, here are 10 key things that any entrepreneur or inventor needs to know about patents before launching a new product.<\/p>\n<h2>1. The Definition of A Patent<\/h2>\n<p>According to <em><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/terms\/p\/patent.asp\">Investopedia<\/a><\/em>, an investment education website, <strong>a patent is<\/strong> \"government license that gives the holder exclusive rights to a process, design or new invention for a designated period of time.\" By establishing a patent, the patent holder is <strong>protected from other entities infringing upon their intellectual property<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/applying-for-patents\/flying-machine.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"429\"><figcaption class=\"entry-image-caption\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/usnationalarchives\/5885384256\/in\/album-72157626953590229\/\">IMAGE: Us National Archives | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Hypothetically, without a patent, a new invention could be <strong>reverse engineered, replicated, and resold<\/strong> by another company with more resources, effectively pushing the original inventor out of the marketplace.<\/p>\n<h2>2. You Can\u2019t Patent an \"Idea\"<\/h2>\n<p>As great as an idea may be, in order to apply for a patent, there are certain requirements that need to be met as it <strong>relates to the development of the idea itself<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>As stated on a recent post on <em><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.entrepreneurshiplife.com\/intellectual-property-patent-idea\/\">Entrepreneurship Life<\/a><\/em>, <em>\"a general plan or notion without some identifiable embodiment cannot be protect [sic] as Intellectual Property (IP) by the Intellectual Property Office<\/em>.\"<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/applying-for-patents\/light-bulb.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"419\"><figcaption class=\"entry-image-caption\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/qisur\/4351196974\/\">IMAGE: qisur | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In essence, though the requirements vary from country to country, patent authorities require that <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.entrepreneurshiplife.com\/intellectual-property-patent-idea\/\">in order to be patented<\/a>, ideas should be structured as more of a <strong>tangible asset or design<\/strong>, either through the <strong>development of a prototype<\/strong> or though <strong>detailed drawings and descriptions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2>3. Patents Are Country-Sensitive<\/h2>\n<p>There are multiple different patent authorities, and <strong>no single governing body can issue patents that are enforced worldwide<\/strong>. For example, patents in the United States are issued by the United States Patent & Trade Office while patents in the United Kingdom are handled by the Intellectual Property Office.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/applying-for-patents\/country-flags.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"417\"><figcaption class=\"entry-image-caption\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/un_photo\/3311542781\/\">IMAGE: un_photo | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Through the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wipo.int\/pct\/en\/faqs\/faqs.html\">Patent Cooperation Treaty,<\/a> one can initiate the patent filing process with roughly <strong>145 participating nations<\/strong>, although eventually there are <strong>additional costs and processes required<\/strong> that one must consider to finalize the desired patents.<\/p>\n<h2>4. There are Multiple Types of Patents<\/h2>\n<p>When applying for a patent, entrepreneurs and inventors must note what type of patent they are applying for. In the US, there are three different classifications of patents, known as <strong>utility patents<\/strong>, <strong>design patents<\/strong> and <strong>plant patents<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/applying-for-patents\/patent-types.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"400\"><figcaption class=\"entry-image-caption\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/businesssarah\/5977958263#\">IMAGE: businesssarah | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In China, there are two types of patents, <strong>invention patents<\/strong> and <strong>utility model patents<\/strong>. Understanding the pros and cons of different patent options is important as explained by an article in <em><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/www.inovia.com\/2013\/06\/comparison-between-invention-patent-and-utility-model-in-china-2\/\">Inovia<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n<h2>5. The First To File A Patent Typically Wins<\/h2>\n<p>Since the passing of the <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Leahy-Smith_America_Invents_Act\">America Invents Act<\/a>, virtually every country in the world now <strong>works on a first-to-file system for patents<\/strong>, as opposed to a first-to-invent model. What this means is that in the event of multiple applicants filing for the same patent, the <strong>patent will go to whoever filed the application first<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/applying-for-patents\/business-race.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"363\"><figcaption class=\"entry-image-caption\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/129941959@N06\/15664857154\">129941959@N06 | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>U.C. Berkeley vs. MIT<\/em> is an on-going, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wired.com\/2015\/10\/battle-genome-editing-gets-science-wrong\/\">epic patent battle<\/a> over a ground-breaking DNA-editing technology involving a first-to-file vs. first-to-invent issue.<\/p>\n<h2>6. Patents Can Take a Long Time To Be Granted<\/h2>\n<p>Attempting to obtain a patent is not a good activity for those who lack patience. Though timelines vary from entity to entity, according to one <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ericksonlawgroup.com\/law\/patents\/patentfaq\/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-patent\/\">source<\/a>, \"the average time it takes to obtain a patent from the (US) patent office at this time is about 32 months or a little under 3 years.\"<\/p>\n<p>Don\u2019t hold your breath.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/applying-for-patents\/waiting.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"400\">\n<\/figure>\n<h2>7.  Patents Have To Be Globally Unique<\/h2>\n<p>Prior to incurring the expense and dedicating the time required to apply for a patent, it is highly advisable to <strong>conduct a worldwide search for similar patents<\/strong>, to ensure that there is not a similar product or concept already with a patent or a patent pending. The USPTO alone has issued over <strong>8 million patents<\/strong> since its inception.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/applying-for-patents\/documents.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"365\"><figcaption class=\"entry-image-caption\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.123rf.com\/profile_gow27\">gow27 | 123RF Stock Photo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>As suggested by <em>Innovate Design<\/em>, the patent search must go <strong>beyond just a single country<\/strong> because \"<em>in order to be patentable, an idea has to be globally unique, which is why this search has to be worldwide<\/em>.\"<\/p>\n<h2>8. Patents Cost Money To Apply For<\/h2>\n<p>Before filing a patent application, inventors should consider the litany of costs associated with the process. Aside from just the application fee itself, there are associated services to be considered, ranging from the <strong>cost of a professional worldwide patent search<\/strong> and opinion, to <strong>attorney fees<\/strong>, to assistance with <strong>design drawings or prototype manufacturing<\/strong>, and more.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/applying-for-patents\/money.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"359\"><figcaption class=\"entry-image-caption\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/epsos\/8463683689\">epsos | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><em>I.P. Watchdog<\/em> estimates that the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ipwatchdog.com\/2015\/04\/04\/the-cost-of-obtaining-a-patent-in-the-us\/id=56485\/\">cost of obtaining a patent<\/a> in the United States can easily add up to <strong>ten thousand dollars or more<\/strong>, adding \"how much you will spend on a patent application also depends upon what it is that you want to do with the patent and whether there are realistic market opportunities.\"<\/p>\n<h2>9. Patent Legislation Constantly Changes<\/h2>\n<p>Due to the pace at which technology and innovation takes place in today\u2019s business, <strong>guidelines and laws are constantly changing<\/strong>. Entrepreneurs and inventors should keep abreast of recent changes with international bodies such as the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/applying-for-patents\/patent-law.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"424\"><figcaption class=\"entry-image-caption\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.123rf.com\/profile_zerbor\">zerbor | 123RF Stock Photo<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Additional, individual countries routinely draft new legislation that involves patent law, such as the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/tech.co\/news\">proposed Innovation Act <\/a>that is under consideration in the United States.<\/p>\n<h2>10. Beware of Patent Trolls<\/h2>\n<p>Patent Trolls are individuals or entities who <strong>use patent laws to make generally frivolous claims about patent infringement<\/strong>, typically with the goal of extracting a settlement from a defendant who would prefer not to incur the costs and time required to fight the claim.<\/p>\n<figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/applying-for-patents\/patent-trolls.jpg\" width=\"640\" height=\"410\"><figcaption class=\"entry-image-caption\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/hershco\/13242953903\/\">hershco | Flickr<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Apple and ProView Technologies had an infamous patent dispute in 2012 at which time the publication Uproxx <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/uproxx.com\/technology\/noted-patent-troll-apple-falls-afoul-of-chinese-copyright-troll\/\">called out<\/a> both parties on their rather <strong>\"trollish\" behavior<\/strong> with respect to patents.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Once inspiration hits an inventor or entrepreneur, the race is on to patent the idea, put together a prototype, start manufacturing, and get it out on the market before somebody else does. The first component of the aforementioned process of getting to market, obtaining a patent, is a subject that generates a lot of confusion,&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":355,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3407],"tags":[2109],"topic":[4523],"class_list":["entry-content","is-maxi"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.8 (Yoast SEO v27.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Entrepreneurs: 10 Things You Should Know About Patents - Hongkiat<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Once inspiration hits an inventor or entrepreneur, the race is on to patent the idea, put together a prototype, start manufacturing, and get it out on the\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/applying-for-patents\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Entrepreneurs: 10 Things You Should Know About Patents\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Once inspiration hits an inventor or entrepreneur, the race is on to patent the idea, put together a prototype, start manufacturing, and get it out on the\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.hongkiat.com\/blog\/applying-for-patents\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Hongkiat\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/hongkiatcom\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-10-22T10:46:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2022-10-09T13:22:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/assets.hongkiat.com\/uploads\/applying-for-patents\/flying-machine.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Andrew Armstrong\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@hongkiat\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@hongkiat\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Andrew Armstrong\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hongkiat.com\\\/blog\\\/applying-for-patents\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hongkiat.com\\\/blog\\\/applying-for-patents\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Andrew Armstrong\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hongkiat.com\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/0cf77cbe5a34389861e0f2ebc393d22e\"},\"headline\":\"Entrepreneurs: 10 Things You Should Know About Patents\",\"datePublished\":\"2015-10-22T10:46:11+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2022-10-09T13:22:30+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hongkiat.com\\\/blog\\\/applying-for-patents\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1025,\"commentCount\":3,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hongkiat.com\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hongkiat.com\\\/blog\\\/applying-for-patents\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/assets.hongkiat.com\\\/uploads\\\/applying-for-patents\\\/flying-machine.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Entrepreneurs\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Startups\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hongkiat.com\\\/blog\\\/applying-for-patents\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hongkiat.com\\\/blog\\\/applying-for-patents\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.hongkiat.com\\\/blog\\\/applying-for-patents\\\/\",\"name\":\"Entrepreneurs: 10 Things You Should Know About Patents - 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