Patent Applications & Protection
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, or USPTO, is responsible for processing patent applications in the United States. Inventors apply for one of three types of patents: design patents, plant patents or utility patents. After approval of the patent, the USPTO grants the inventor exclusive legal rights to use the invention.
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Patent Protection
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According to the USPTO's website, patents give a product's creators "the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling" their original invention. Patents are effective for 20 years from the date of the application; patent protection is valid only in the United States and its territories.
Pre-Application Information
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Before applying for a patent, inventors search the USPTO's database to ensure the invention is original. Inventors must also decide which of the three types of patents they require. Some inventors use attorneys specializing in intellectual-property law to help with the application process.
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Patent Application
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Apply for the patent using the EFS-Web online application. Before accessing this service, an inventor must register on the site to obtain a customer number and a digital certificate number. The inventor pays an application fee that varies depending on the type of patent filed.
Once the application is processed, the USPTO approves or rejects the patent. The applicant can file an appeal if the office declines the patent.
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References
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