Best Patent Attorneys in Camden, NJ

A patent is a time-limited monopoly on your invention, which gives you enforceable rights to prevent others from making, using, selling or importing your invention (without your permission), in the United States, for 20 years. The government recognizes the benefit of disclosing new technologies and ideas to the public. For this disclosure, they are willing to give you exclusive rights to your invention for a period of time. The basis for granting this right comes from Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution.

After your invention has been compared to the relevant prior art (similar inventions) and a provisional application has been filed, a 12-month clock begins, during which time a nonprovisional patent application must be filed to obtain the benefit of the earlier filed provisional application. After this time frame, the provisional application abandons, and you lose the earlier filing date. A nonprovisional application includes a complete draft of the patent, including an abstract, description of the field of the invention, description and distinguishing remarks relating to the prior art, a summary of the invention, detailed patent drawings and a detailed description of them, a detailed specification, and claims (your legal rights). A nonprovisional application is the only type of application that can result in an issued utility or design patent.

A nonprovisional patent application is a complete application for a patent and the only type that will result in the issuance of a utility patent. A nonprovisional patent application is considered one of the most complex legal instruments and, as such, requires extensive skill, knowledge and time to properly prepare. The costs associated with a nonprovisional patent application reflect this level of knowledge and effort.

No. A patent application must be filed in each country individually, either directly or through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) process. We are happy to discuss the options and associated costs of filing for patent protection outside the United States.

While your current drawings are an excellent marketing tool and sufficient for a provisional patent application, they are likely inadequate for a nonprovisional patent application. Patent drawings are a very specific type of drawing, with a number of statutory requirements. If drawings are not done correctly, the USPTO will reject or object to the patent, which may result in added time and cost.