Patents

A patent is a type of intellectual property (IP) that protects the inventive concept behind a product. It may cover a new product, method or process, or a new use for a product. The invention need not be groundbreaking, and many patents cover very narrow technical advances — but it must be new, useful and inventive at the time that an application for a patent is filed. A patent can last up to 20 years on payment of annual ‘renewal’ fees.

To acquire a granted patent in the UK, you must be able to show that your idea is new (i.e. novel) and not obvious (i.e. inventive) before the UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). A patent application requires an invention to be described in such a way that it can be implemented by a person skilled in that field. This does not mean that you need a working product but rather an idea of how the underlying concept will work and enough detail that a person skilled in your field could put it together based on your disclosure.

The patent application process involves preparing a written application and submitting it to the patent office in your country or, for multinational protection, to an international patent office. The application must include a detailed description of the invention, along with any drawings or diagrams and claims defining the scope of the invention.

Having a patent attorney during the application process is highly beneficial due to the complexity of patent law. They assist in drafting the application, ensuring clear and accurate presentation of your invention. A patent attorney also provides insights on grant likelihood and protects your intellectual property rights. Their expertise maximises the rewards of your innovation.