DF Bluem - Patent licensing | IP licensing | Patent marketing | Invention marketing | Licensing company - Leeds, UK
DF Bluem Infomation Hub - Leeds, UK
I want to patent my idea invention...
what should I do ?
If you have a new product idea or invention and want to protect it from being copied, you need to file a patent application with the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO).
A patent is an intellectual property right granted by a country's government as a territorial right for a limited period. It’s a legal document that confirms you are the legal owner of the disclosed material e.g. product, invention, specification and have the exclusive rights to freely pursue it (without competition) within the territory.
In the UK, patent applications are made to and processed by the Intellectual Property Office (the IPO).
A patent application is made up of four parts
• A written description.
• Accompanying drawings that correspond with the description.
• A list of claims that define the distinctive technical features of the invention.
• An abstract’ that provides a summary of the technical aspects of the invention.
Patents make it illegal for anyone except the owner or someone with the owner’s permission to make, use, import or sell the patented material in the country where the patent was granted.
Once the application has been filed with the IPO (which is known as the "patent pending" stage), they will conduct a preliminary search, publish the application, and carry out a substantive examination. If the application meets the IPO's criteria, the patent will be granted – which means you are the legal owner of the disclosed material (e.g. product, invention, specification) and have the exclusive right to freely pursue it (without competition) within the territory.
The process from application to grant can now take approximately four - five years.
However, before applying for a patent and proceeding to protect your new product idea invention, it’s crucial to conduct due diligence to determine if patent protection is suitable and the correct approach. Not all new products, ideas, or inventions are patentable, and or should be pursued.
