Protect, Profit, and Innovate: Everything You Need to Know About Patents
A patent is more than just a legal right—it’s your ticket to exclusive innovation, market leadership, and long-term value. Our patent services help inventors, businesses, and researchers secure, manage, and leverage their inventions for maximum impact.
A patent is an exclusive right granted by a government authority to an inventor for a new and useful invention—be it a product, process, or design. In exchange for public disclosure, the inventor receives the right to exclude others from commercially exploiting the invention for a set period (usually 20 years for utility and plant patents, 15 years for design patents).
- Utility Patents: Protect new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions of matter (most common, 20-year term).
- Design Patents: Protect the ornamental design of a functional item (15-year term for applications filed after May 13, 2015).
- Plant Patents: Protect new, distinct, and reproducible plant varieties (20-year term).
- Secure exclusive rights and prevent unauthorized use
- Attract investment and support R&D
- Enable licensing, sales, and partnerships
- Enhance reputation and market position
- Accelerate innovation by sharing technical knowledge
Patent documents are a rich source of technical and legal information, offering insights into the latest developments across industries. Researchers, entrepreneurs, and inventors can use patent data to assess trends, avoid duplication, and identify opportunities.
How to Protect Your Invention with a Patent
Drafting & Filing: Prepare a detailed patent application, including descriptions, drawings, and claims. Submit to the relevant national or regional IP office (e.g., USPTO, EPO, WIPO). Examination: The patent office reviews your application for novelty, usefulness, and non-obviousness. Grant & Maintenance: If approved, you receive exclusive rights for a limited period. Maintenance fees may apply for utility patents. International Protection: Patents are territorial—apply in each country where protection is needed, or use international systems like the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for broader coverage.
Patents vs. Trademarks vs. Copyrights
Patents: Protect inventions (products, processes, designs, or plants) for a limited time. Trademarks: Protect brand names, logos, and symbols indefinitely (as long as in use and defended). Copyrights: Protect original creative works (literature, art, software) for the life of the author plus 70 years (in most jurisdictions).
Patent Services and Support
Patentability Assessment: Determine if your invention is novel and eligible for protection. Drafting & Filing: Expert preparation and submission of patent applications. Prosecution & Office Action Response: Navigate examination, respond to objections, and maximize grant chances. Portfolio Management: Maintain, monitor, and optimize your patent assets. Training & Resources: Access workshops, courses, and guidance on patent strategy and information search. Assistance for Inventors: Pro bono and low-cost support for inventors and small businesses in developing countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a patent last? Utility and plant patents: 20 years from filing; design patents: 15 years (if filed after May 13, 2015). What does a patent cost? Costs vary by type, jurisdiction, and complexity—ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Can I get a patent worldwide? Patents are territorial; you must apply in each country or use international systems for broader protection. What are some famous patents? Examples include the telephone, lightbulb, personal computer, and many pharmaceutical drugs.