Our Recommended Patent Filing Strategy
In relation to inventions, we recommend that a subject matter search is carried out at the start of the procedure to avoid wasting money on technical projects which are already disclosed in published literature. We use relevant keywords in combination with International Patent Classification codes and the search results are generally available two to three weeks from receipt of complete instructions. The search will also uncover earlier patents which you may be at risk of infringing by endeavouring to commercialise the new technology. Although we do not recommend this approach, the search can be circumvented in the event that you are keen to press on with the filing of a patent application.
In the event that you are happy to proceed with a patent application in the light of the results of a search, we would recommend filing a provisional UK or Irish patent application before the UK Intellectual Property Office or Irish Patent Office. We estimate a general timescale of approximately four to five weeks to prepare and file a provisional patent application from the date we receive complete instructions including drawings.
Filing a provisional patent application starts a period of twelve months during which the subject matter of the patent application will be protected provisionally world-wide, subject to you proceeding with the application at the end of the twelve month period. At the end of this period, you have the option of proceeding by:-
(a) Filing a complete patent application in the United Kingdom or Ireland only;
(b) Filing complete National and/or regional patent applications to cover the specific countries in which you are interested in having protection for your invention;
(c) Filing a European Patent Application; or
(d) Filing an International Patent Application.
