How long does it take to get a patent?

In Washington, the time it takes to get a patent depends on the complexity of the invention and the workload of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Generally, it takes from 24 to 36 months from filing an application to the USPTO to get a patent. The USPTO reviews submissions and provides feedback to applicants during this time. This process is called "prosecution" and usually takes 12-14 months to complete. To speed up the process, applicants can make a "patent acceleration request" (PAR). This requires the applicant to pay an additional fee and can reduce the time to get a patent to 8-10 months. The USPTO also offers a "patent prosecution highway" (PPH) option. This is a process that allows applicants to fast-track their application if the same patent application has already been approved by another country. This process can reduce the time taken to get a patent to 6-9 months. However, applicants need to be realistic about their expectations. The USPTO is often backlogged and applications can be delayed if the submitted paperwork is incomplete or if there are any legal disputes. In addition, if the USPTO suggests any changes to the application, it is the responsibility of the applicant to make the necessary changes, which may take additional time.

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