Patent Application Process
Navigating the patent application process with legal experts
Situations
Choose from 6 conversations to practice
Initial Consult: Patentability Assessment
A potential applicant meets with a patent attorney to discuss their invention, its novelty, non-obviousness, and utility to determine if it meets the criteria for patentability.
Prior Art Search Results Review
The patent attorney presents the findings of a prior art search to the inventor, discussing similar existing technologies and how they might affect the patent application's scope or viability.
Drafting Patent Claims Discussion
The attorney and inventor collaborate on drafting the patent claims, defining the specific legal boundaries of the invention to ensure broad protection while avoiding existing patents.
Responding to Office Actions
The applicant and attorney receive an 'Office Action' from the patent office detailing objections or rejections. They then discuss strategies and prepare a formal response, often involving amendments to claims or arguments.
Infringement and Enforcement Consultation
After a patent is granted, the patent owner consults with the legal expert about potential patent infringement by a third party, discussing options for enforcement, cease and desist letters, or litigation.
International Patent Filing Strategy
An inventor considers expanding patent protection globally and discusses different international filing routes (e.g., PCT, Paris Convention) with their attorney, weighing costs and benefits for various regions.