Three Common Mistakes to Avoid When Applying for a Patent

Inventors are some of the most incredible people in the world. We have so many tools and products that make our daily lives so much easier in today’s society thanks to creative and brilliant inventors. What’s even better is the fact that every day new products and tools and medicines are being created to give us even more options in the future.

While this is extraordinary and exciting, one thing that can get in the way of progress is the tedious and overly complex process of applying for a patent. When it comes to the legal issues involved with bringing a new idea to life, inventors are prone to making several common mistakes.

Mistakes to Avoid

One of the most disheartening things an inventor can deal with is coming up with a new product, designing it, building it, testing it, and finalizing it, and then being turned away from the patent office for paperwork or procedural errors. Sadly, this happens all too frequently. Here are three of the most common mistakes inventors make when applying for their patents:

1. Failure to properly document the entire process. Patent applications are excruciatingly detailed, and inventors who neglect to document the whole process, from conception to completion, often find that their applications are turned away for being too vague. Memory is frail, so proper documentation is important.
2. Failure to apply in time. Far too often, inventors put off the application process. It’s true that applying can be expensive and intimidating, but inventors only have one calendar year from the moment their invention is first sold within which they can apply for a patent.
3. Failure to hire a patent attorney. The application process is incredibly difficult to complete successfully, and the above are only two of many common mistakes that people make when attempting to move through the patent process. In order to give yourself the best chance at success, you should strongly consider hiring an experienced patent attorney to help you prepare, draft, and file your patent application.

While the application process can be daunting and the threat of denial is very real, there is good news — these common mistakes are all completely avoidable. With the help of a qualified patent attorney, your application process can go smoothly.

Contact a Patent Attorney in Dallas

If you are preparing to apply for a patent, call the Dallas intellectual property attorneys of Gagnon, Peacock & Vereeke, P.C., at (214) 824-1414 today. Our patent lawyers can help guide you through the process and secure the integrity of your invention as well as your future profits.