Patents??

[tmissitt]

I have a new idea for a product, can anyone give me any advice on patenting procedures and costs..

Much appreciated

Take a look at http://www.patent.gov.uk

Regards,
Tyler

[casillerodeldiablo]

One piece of advice is to check the US patent office to see if anyone has already patented it before you invest too much energy into the project.

http://www.uspto.gov/main/profiles/acadres.htm

Why am I suggesting the US patent office when you are most likely situated in the UK?

Despite popular belief there is no such thing as a "worldwide" patent. Basically you have to register with every single patent office around the world. That's a lot of work so most people don't bother and end up just registering it with one...most of the time in the US. So if something has already been thought of it will be no doubt registered in the US because it is normally perceived to be the most important market.

And if you can't find anything the same, good luck with your new invention!!

[howardw]

Send me a message from my website http://www.withersrogers.com and I'll send you our guide to the different forms of intellectual property and some information on costs and the process of obtaining patent protection. Unfortunately, I can't post it here because the file size is too big for this website.

Regards
Howard Wright
Withers & Rogers LLP

[eimanshalash]

Last week I spoke with the Patent office regarding trademarkes. Apparently you need to have it registered in the UK before you go out and register in any other country.

It costs (for trademarks) about £600 for US only. Plus the UK £200 (plus £50 per additional category). A specialist intellectual property solicitor should be consulted though.

[howardw]

You can file overseas trade mark applications without having filed in the UK first, but if you do file in the UK first, any application filed overseas in the subsequent six month period can claim priority. This means that the overseas application will be considered as having been filed as of the date of the UK application. This can be advantageous, but is not by any means compulsory.

Having a UK or European Community trade mark registration might make it cheaper and easier to obtain a US trade mark. The initial filing costs could be about £600, but this is very dependent on the cost of the US attorney used. Further costs will be incurred to take the application through to registration.

Regards
Howard Wright
Withers & Rogers LLP

[eimanshalash]

Originally posted by howardw
You can file overseas trade mark applications without having filed in the UK first, but if you do file in the UK first, any application filed overseas in the subsequent six month period can claim priority. This means that the overseas application will be considered as having been filed as of the date of the UK application. This can be advantageous, but is not by any means compulsory.

Howard, I'm not too sure I'm with you on the above.

Although I take your note on it not being compulsory to file in the UK first. Only advantageous.

Thanks for your response.

[howardw]

Priorities are a complex and technical part of Intellectual property, and are much more important for patents and registered designs than for trade marks. In simple terms, priority rights are created by filing a first application. If subsequent applications are filed either in the UK or overseas, the priority right can be claimed. This allows the later application to be treated as if it was filed at the time of the first application.

This is crucial for patents where an invention must be new as of the date of filing, but is normally of less importance for trade marks where registrability does not depend on whether the mark is new.

Regards
Howard