Protecting inventions.
WHAT A PATENT PROVIDES
A time-limited monopoly on an invention, in the country granted.
WHAT IS REQUIRED
Novelty: not previously disclosed anywhere
An inventive step: not obvious
Industrial applicability
WHY NOVELTY MATTERS MOST PRACTICALLY
Public disclosure before filing can destroy it.
WHAT COUNTS AS DISCLOSURE
Publication Presentation Sale or demonstration Discussion without confidentiality
WHAT TO DO
File before disclosing anything.
WHAT TO USE IF YOU MUST DISCUSS IT EARLIER
A confidentiality agreement.
WHAT A PATENT APPLICATION REQUIRES
A specification describing the invention fully Claims defining what is protected Drawings, where applicable Fees
WHY THE CLAIMS MATTER MOST
They define the scope of protection, and drafting them is specialist work.
WHAT IT COSTS
Substantially more than trademarks, in fees and professional costs.
WHAT IT REQUIRES ONGOING
Renewal fees, periodically.
WHAT TERRITORIAL PROTECTION MEANS
A patent granted here protects here, and nowhere else.
WHAT THAT IMPLIES
Protection in other markets requires separate filings, at substantial cost.
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER PATENTS
Businesses with genuinely novel technical inventions and the means to enforce them.
WHY ENFORCEMENT MATTERS
An unenforced patent provides nothing.
WHAT MOST SMALL BUSINESSES SHOULD CONSIDER INSTEAD
Trade secrets and speed to market.
WHAT TO ENGAGE
A patent practitioner, before disclosing anything.
