{"id":177915,"date":"2022-11-01T12:56:35","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T12:56:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?p=177915"},"modified":"2023-07-20T07:04:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-20T06:04:51","slug":"apply-patent-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/apply-patent-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do I Apply for Patent Protection?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A patent is a specific form of intellectual property that protects inventions. If you are an inventor in the UK, you may wonder how easy it is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/can-you-patent-a-design\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">to apply for patent protection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and whether it is essential. The danger with not patenting your inventions is that someone else may steal your idea and profit from it. This article explains all about the UK patent application process.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Obtaining a Patent<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/can-you-patent-an-idea-in-the-uk\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">eligible for patent protection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, your invention must be:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">something that is designed to be made or used in any industry;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">something new, meaning no one has already come up with this invention; and<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">truly inventive, or involve an inventive step.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While this last step may seem obvious, it is vital. It means something you invented must not be evident to someone else.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"box box--icon box--star\">\n    <p>A patent gives you the exclusive right to use and market your invention. You can also sell the patent or licence it for use by others. This can make your patent a highly valuable asset in your business.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A patent makes it much easier for you to take legal action if anyone else tries to copy or market your invention without your permission. The patent application process is quite complex and time-intensive. It can also be expensive, as it is highly recommended you seek the advice of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/patent-attorney\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a patent attorney<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. Not taking professional advice can leave you with poor patent protection if the scope of your application is incorrect or the description of your invention is not specific enough. For this reason, the IPO advises the overall cost of a patent application as being in the region of \u00a34,000.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patent Process<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can apply for a patent online through the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO). However, before you apply for a UK patent for your invention, you should check to ensure that no one else has patented the same or a similar invention. The UK patent application process has several steps, as detailed below.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<a href=\"#content-next\"\n   class=\"block p-4 mt-10 text-xl font-bold text-center text-white no-underline bg-gray-800 rounded-t-xl\">\n    Continue reading this article below the form\n    <i class=\"text-xl fa-regular fa-arrow-down\"><\/i>\n<\/a>\n<div class=\"px-6 pt-10 pb-12 mb-10 text-center bg-gray-100 rounded-b-xl sm:px-12 test\">\n    <div class=\"mb-8 text-2xl font-bold text-orange\">\n        Need legal advice?\n        <br>\n        <span class=\"text-lg not-prose\">\n                            Call <a href=\"tel:+448081968584\" class=\"not-prose\">0808 196 8584<\/a> for urgent assistance.\n                <br>\n                Otherwise, complete this form, and we will contact you within one business day.\n                    <\/span>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n\n<div class=\"not-prose flex justify-center text-left gform_input_bg_white    \">\n    <script>\nvar 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Your Patent Application<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">First, you need to complete your patent application. This will consist of the following:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">a detailed description of your invention, preferably with illustrative drawings that enhance your written explanations;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u2018claims\u2019, which set out your invention&#8217;s scope and technical features to show how your invention differs from known products; and<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">an \u2018abstract\u2019 which summarises all of the technical characteristics of your invention.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">2. File your Patent Application and Request a Search<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you are happy with your application, you can file it online. Afterwards, you will receive an acknowledgement and filing receipt. This document is essential as this is the date your patent will apply if granted.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You also need to request the IPO to make a formal patent search for your invention. You can do this at the same time as filing your application, or if you wish, you can do so later. However, you must request the search within 12 months of your filing or priority date.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A priority date is the filing date of an earlier application made and withdrawn. If this is your first application, the relevant date is when you filed your application. It is usually quicker to request your search when you file your application.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">3. Search Report and Publishing&nbsp;<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Within six months of filing your patent application, you will receive your search report from the IPO. This tells you whether the examiner believes your product is new and inventive.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once you have reviewed this document, you can decide whether or not you wish to proceed with your application. You must withdraw your application if you are concerned about anything raised in the IPO\u2019s search report. Withdrawing the application will allow you to make changes to your invention and reapply for your patent later.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If there is nothing of concern in the report, the IPO will publish your application in the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/check-the-patents-journal\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patents Journal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 18 months after your initial filing date. Your invention will now be considered public knowledge, and you will not be able to apply for a patent for that application, as it will no longer be \u2018new\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"my-7 lg:my-10 border-y-2 border-gray-100 py-7 lg:py-10 flex flex-col sm:flex-row items-start gap-10\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"w-52 mx-auto my-0! rounded\" src=\"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/16051654\/UK-Trade-Mark-Essentials-Screenshot-290x410-1.jpg\" alt=\"Front page of publication\"\n                 loading=\"lazy\" width=\"208\" height=\"298\">\n                <section>\n            <div class=\"text-2xl font-bold\">Trade Mark Essentials<\/div>\n            <div class=\"body-text\">\n                <p>LegalVision&#8217;s Trade Mark Essentials Guide provides valuable information for any business looking to register or enforce a trade mark. <\/p>\n            <\/div>\n            \n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/go.legalvision.co.uk\/uk-trade-mark-essentials-guide.html\" class=\" block px-5 py-3.5 max-w-fit bg-orange button__hover transition rounded text-white font-bold text-lg no-underline uppercase leading-tight text-center\" target=\"\" rel=\"\">Download Now<\/a>        <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">4. Substantive Examination<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The next step is to request a substantive examination within six months of the publication of your application. This is a formal examination that investigates whether your invention is new and inventive enough to be awarded a patent. It could take up to two years to check that the description and claims you made match your invention.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once complete, you will receive the examiner\u2019s report containing any objections to your application. You must overcome these objections and respond to the examiner accordingly. At this stage, the examiner will either accept your application and grant your patent or send you an amended examination report.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">5. Receiving Your Patent<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once the examiner is happy and has no more objections for you to overcome, your application will be accepted and your patent granted. Initially, your patent will be in place for four years. After that, you need to renew it every year, up to a maximum of 20 years.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"box box--icon box--info\">\n    <p>The renewal fee increases each year. You should renew your patent within three months of the due date or up to one month after. You must renew within six months of the due date.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A patent is a business asset you can benefit from financially, even if you decide not to make and sell your invention. However, patents are a complex area of intellectual property protection, and the registration process is challenging. Not only will you need to prove that your invention is new and inventive, but you will also need to consider how to describe it and its scope. You must do this to stand the best chance of a successful patent application.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"box box--icon box--warning\">\n    <p>LegalVision cannot provide legal assistance with patents. We recommend you contact your local law society.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Frequently asked questions<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1667306427297\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is the first step in the patent process?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The first step in the patent process is to complete your patent application.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1667306460699\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Who should I apply for a patent with?<\/strong><\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">If you wish to make a patent application, you should do so through the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO).\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n<div class=\"not-prose m-feedback-prompt\">\n    <!-- Thumbs up\/down bar -->\n    <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__main\">\n        <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__title\">Was this article helpful?<\/div>\n        <div>\n            <!--span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button--text\">Thanks!<\/span-->\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt__button--yes\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:yes\" aria-label=\"Agree\">\n                <i class=\"fa-regular fa-thumbs-up fa-3x\"><\/i>\n            <\/button>\n            <button type=\"button\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__button m-feedback-prompt__button--no\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:no\" aria-label=\"Disagree\">\n                <i class=\"fa-regular fa-thumbs-down fa-3x\"><\/i>\n            <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <!-- Feedback form -->\n    <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form\">\n        <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--thanks \">\n            <div>Thanks!<\/div>\n            <p>\n                We appreciate your feedback \u2013 your submission has been successfully received.            <\/p>\n        <\/div>\n        <form id=\"contact-form\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--form\" action=\"\" method=\"post\">\n            <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"authenticity_token\" name=\"authenticity_token\" value=\"9eb4f72322\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177915\" \/>            <input value=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/apply-patent-protection\/\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenturl\"\n                   id=\"currenturl\">\n            <input value=\"How Do I Apply for Patent Protection?\" type=\"hidden\" name=\"currenttitle\"\n                   id=\"currenttitle\">\n            <label>\n                <!-- display on thumbs-up -->\n                <span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__feedback m-feedback-prompt__feedback--yes\">\n                    Can you tell us <span class=\"font-semibold\">why<\/span> you found it helpful?\n                <\/span>\n\n                <!-- display on thumbs-down -->\n                <span class=\"m-feedback-prompt__feedback m-feedback-prompt__feedback--no text-lg\">\n                    How can we better improve this article?\n                <\/span>\n                <textarea name=\"feedbackmessage\" id=\"feedbackmessage\" required><\/textarea>\n            <\/label>\n\n            <div class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--error\" id=\"form-submit-error\"><\/div>\n            <button id=\"submit-contact-form-button\" type=\"submit\" name=\"commit\" class=\"m-feedback-prompt__form--submit\"\n                    data-analytics-link=\"feedback-prompt:submit\">\n                Submit            <\/button>\n        <\/form>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A patent is a specific form of intellectual property that protects inventions. If you are an inventor in the UK, you may wonder how easy it is to apply for patent protection and whether it is essential. The danger with not patenting your inventions is that someone else may steal your idea and profit from<a href=\"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/apply-patent-protection\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"sr-only\">&#8220;How Do I Apply for Patent Protection?&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13323,"featured_media":3243,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"177011,2660,1443,1300,176336,2025","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","editor_notices":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[20,189,202,1071],"class_list":["post-177915","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-intellectual-property","tag-small-business","tag-patents","tag-patent-advice","tag-patent-protection"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Do I Apply for Patent Protection? | LegalVision UK<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you are an inventor with a good invention, you may wish to apply for patent protection. 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This article explains the process in England.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/apply-patent-protection\/#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":[{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/apply-patent-protection\/#faq-question-1667306427297"},{"@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/apply-patent-protection\/#faq-question-1667306460699"}],"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/apply-patent-protection\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/apply-patent-protection\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122235\/business-image-0522184.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/img.legalvision.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/05\/24122235\/business-image-0522184.jpg","width":837,"height":558,"caption":"Three Legal Considerations When Selling to International Markets - LegalVision UK"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/apply-patent-protection\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Intellectual Property Articles","item":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/category\/intellectual-property\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"How Do I Apply for Patent Protection?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/","name":"LegalVision UK","description":"LegalVision is a commercial law firm in the UK with a commitment to innovation","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/d255da3e205c67dea66ebf0d2573e3aa","name":"Rachel King","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/12\/cropped-Rachel-King-e1639450442311-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2021\/12\/cropped-Rachel-King-e1639450442311-96x96.jpg","caption":"Rachel King"},"description":"Rachel King is a Legal Content Writer at LegalVision. She previously studied law at the University of Nottingham and Virginia School of Law. As well as freelance writing, Rachel runs her own small online business and enjoys various creative endeavours - hence her interest in all things intellectual property and e-commerce.","sameAs":["laini.bennett@legalvision.com.au"],"url":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/author\/rachelking\/"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/apply-patent-protection\/#faq-question-1667306427297","name":"What is the first step in the patent process?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The first step in the patent process is to complete your patent application.","inLanguage":"en-GB"},"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/intellectual-property\/apply-patent-protection\/#faq-question-1667306460699","name":"Who should I apply for a patent with?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"If you wish to make a patent application, you should do so through the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO).\u00a0","inLanguage":"en-GB"},"inLanguage":"en-GB"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177915","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/13323"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177915"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177915\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":182187,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177915\/revisions\/182187"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/3243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177915"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177915"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalvision.co.uk\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177915"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}