When should I seek patent protection?

Patents are an important tool to protect an individual’s invention or unique intellectual property in the form of an invention, design, or brand. Patent protection should be sought when the invention or product is ready to be sold or marketed. Prior to filing an application for a patent, it is important to conduct a thorough search to determine if the invention or product is novel and to ensure the invention or product has not yet been patented by someone else. In Washington, an application for a patent must be filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Generally, the application must include an explanation of the invention, a description of the invention and an accompanying drawing, as well as a claims section that outlines the invention’s legal claim. All applications are reviewed by a patent examiner. Once the application is approved, a patent is awarded and the individual is granted exclusive rights to the invention for a set amount of time. It is important to seek patent protection as soon as possible, as the inventor is given priority over anyone else who may have filed a similar patent application at a later date. Furthermore, filing an application with the Patent Office serves as public notice that the invention or product is protected. Without patent protection, the invention or product may be copied, leading to potential loss of profits and advantages for the original inventor.

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