Patent Questions

A patent is the right to exclude others from making, using, selling an invention. Or in other words, non-legally but simply said by many — “it is a monopoly on your idea.” There are different types of patents.

There are provisional patent patent applications, utility patent applications, design patent applications, and plant patent applications. Some people call provisional patent applications “provisional utility patent applications” and call utility patent applications “non-provisional utility patent applications.”

A provisional patent application is a way to get patent-pending for one year. Technically, it is only a patent application that holds your place because it never is examined by the Patent Office, and never becomes a granted patent.

A utility patent application is the only way to get a patent granted for something that solves a problem or achieves a goal.

No, a patent cannot be renewed, but you can always file for an improvement on the patent.

A design patent application tries to protect the look of your invention that has nothing to do with solving a problem or achieving a goal. In other words, a design patent protects the appearance of your invention.

A plant patent application tries to protects plants. More specifically, a plant patent is for asexually reproduced, distinct and new varieties of plants, other than tuber propagated plants or plants found in an uncultivated state.

You should do a patent search first.

A patent search is a way to try to see if someone else has already thought of your invention.

For current pricing, please call 1-888-275-2757 to speak with Michael L. Greenberg, our registered patent attorney. He will give you an opinion as to patentability based upon a patent search.