The Patent Application Process

Patents protect the intellectual property rights of an inventor and allow them to reap the monetary gains of their product. This crucial part of intellectual property rights gives inventors the safety net they need to freely innovate without fear that their ideas will be stolen. All patents must be examined and approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in a long and complex application process. Applying for patent protection may seem overwhelming, but with the assistance of the intellectual property attorneys at Gagnon, Peacock & Vereeke, P.C., an inventor can rest assured that their intellectual property rights will be protected.

Steps to Acquire Patent

Before any patent can be granted, the inventor must first determine if their product meets all requirements laid forth by the USPTO and that a similar product has not already been patented. Once the invention is verified as patentable, an applicant must decide whether to acquire a utility, plant, or design patent for their invention. The application form itself is a tedious and technical document that is subject to many fees, it is imperative that an inventor consults a legal representative before filling out the form to ensure that their best interests are protected.

If an application is declined or incomplete, an applicant will have the opportunity to work with their USPTO examiner to clear up any issues with the application. Once the application receives approval, the applicant will be granted a notice of allowance for the patent and will receive all subsequent intellectual property protection rights.

Contact a Dallas Patent Lawyer

If you or someone you know is looking to seek patent protection for their invention, having a qualified and experienced attorney at your side can mean the difference between a notice of allowance or a patent dismissal. At Gagnon, Peacock & Vereeke, P.C., our attorneys strive to help innovative inventors seek patent protection so that they can continue changing the world. Contact our office today at (214) 824-1414 to learn more about how we can help you with the patent application process.