Top Reasons to Take the Time to File a Provisional Patent?

Wonder why you should just bite the bullet and file for a provisional patent? We will give you the top 4 reasons to go through with it!

Every inventor needs to secure intellectual property rights to protect their invention. Having your invention listed as “patent pending” on file with the United States Patent and Trademark Office is a much easier step for protection. This can be accomplished by filing a provisional patent application.

Cost

With just a small attorney fee to help you through the process (and yes, we ALWAYS recommend working with an intellectual property attorney when filing for any type of patent), you can protect your invention. It is worth every penny because the small cost will lead to a big effect.

In addition, a provisional patent application is much cheaper, costing you only $70. By paying a small fee for a professional to prepare the application to pay the small fee to file it, you will be saving a lot of money compared to filing for a patent right away. And as an inventor, every penny counts!

Fewer Requirements

Unlike a regular patent application, you require fewer technical requirements when filing for a provisional patent.

This makes the application much easier to prepare because you can still get approved just by providing photos or rough sketches. A non-provisional patent requires much more technical proof. This will end up saving you time to focus more on your actual invention.

Extra Protection

Filing a provisional patent will get you an extra year of protection!

How?

Well, a patent issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office lasts for 20 years, which starts the day you file the patent application. Since a provisional patent is good for one year, this means your invention will be protected for a total of 21 years.

Establish a Filing Date

Did you know that back in 2013, the United States changed things up and decided to honor the first to file system? This means that the person who first files for the invention gets the protection. This is why filing a provisional patent can be another benefit to you and your invention.

Working with a Patent Attorney

Before making any final decision, always speak with an experienced Phoenix patent attorney. The legal advice you will receive from an attorney who specializes in intellectual property will be unmeasurable. From helping you decide to file a provisional patent or not, to helping you file the application, a patent attorney will make sure the process goes as smooth as possible.