FAQ

HOW BROAD (OR VAGUE) SHOULD I MAKE MY PATENT APPLICATION?

A broadly written patent application can give the patent owner broad patent protection.

BEWARE OF A DISADVANTAGE AND TRAP WHEN FILING A PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION

Some of the advantages of filing a provisional patent application are lower cost and faster time to file.

IS FILING A PROVISIONAL PATENT BETTER OR WORSE THAN FILING A NON-PROVISIONAL (FULL) PATENT?

A provisional patent application is not necessarily better or worse than a non-provisional (utility) patent application in all situations.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WHEN MY ONE YEAR IS EXPIRING ON MY PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION?

QUESTION: I filed a provisional application almost one year ago, so it will soon be expiring. I'm not sure what are the next steps for my...

IS IT SAFE TO DISCUSS MY INVENTION WITH A MANUFACTURER BEFORE I FILE A PATENT APPLICATION?

QUESTION: Is it safe to contact a manufacturer with just a provisional patent? I have a provisional patent instead of a non-provisional...

HOW CAN I GET A PATENT QUICKLY TO PROTECT MY IDEA?

A distinction needs to be made between quickly obtaining an issued patent versus quickly filing a patent application. The kind of...