Should You Hire A Licensed Patent Agent In California?

Many inventors are considering hiring licensed patent agents in California to protect their inventions. Legally binding applications are essential to defend your valuable intellectual property. Owning a patent protects potential competitors from making, using, or selling your invention. Leveraging the experience and commitment of patent agents, you can access a secure process to maximize your invention protection. These experienced agents offer the support to help you prepare, file, and submit patent applications to the United States Patent & Trademark Office, or USPTO. Read on to learn about if you should you hire a licensed patent agent California for your invention.

Conduct A Thorough Patent Search

Working alongside experienced California patent agents, you can access a thorough patent search for your invention. Before you begin the patent process, a thorough search ensures that your idea is completely original. To obtain a patent, your invention must be eligible for protection. At the same time, your invention must be novel and non-obvious. Licensed patent agents in CA can help you conduct a thorough search to ensure that your invention meets all of this criteria. In many cases, conducting a patent search encourages the inventor to modify their current idea, or pursue an alternate invention function. Conducting a thorough search can additional provide insight into additional problem-solving methods. Before you file a patent application, you should work alongside a licensed patent agent in California to conduct a thorough search for your invention.

File A Provisional Or Non-Provisional Patent Application

Licensed California patent agents are an excellent resource to help you file a provisional or non-provisional patent for your invention. Simply, a provisional patent is a placeholder with the United States Patent & Trademark Office, or USPTO. While provisional patent applications are not reviewed by an examiner, they provide several secure benefits under patent law. Applying for this type of patent lays the groundwork for obtaining a non-provisional patent for your invention. Non-Provisional applications must be filed within the same year of the provisional agreement in which it applies to. Once submitted, non-provisional applications are sent to examiners, which can lead to the possibility of obtaining an issued patent.

Patent Process Knowledge

Licensed patent agents in California provide industry experience and process knowledge for your invention. Many licensed patent agents specifically focus on patents and trademarks. Therefore, they thoroughly understand the required process to apply for, obtain, and protect an invention patent. At the same time, these professionals are able to manage complex issues in order to prevent you from losing legal rights over your ideas. By taking the time to understand your invention, as well as your business goals, licensed agents provide advice on the patent process, timing requirements, concerns related to invention publicizing, and obtaining non-disclosure agreements. Working with licensed patent agents in Southern California, you can leverage the power of experienced industry experience and expertise.

Work Alongside Patent Examiners

Experienced CA patent agents work alongside examiners to obtain the needed applications for your invention. Once your initial application is submitted, you will often be required to maintain communications with your examiners as they review your contents. If examiners do not think your applications meets specific requirements, they will reach out to licensed agents to explain the reasons why. Without sufficient explanation in a timely manner, your application will be abandoned by your examiner. Through their industry experience and expertise, licensed patent agents in California are an excellent resource to manage these communications. If your application is rejected twice, licensed agents can even help you appeal the examiner’s decision with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB).

Patent Maintenance Assistance

Working alongside licensed patent agents in Southern CA, you can access experienced maintenance services to uphold your application. You are required to pay maintenance fees every four, eight, and twelve years after the issue date for utility and reissue patent applications. Without payment in a timely manner, you risk expiration of your valuable invention patent. For sufficient maintenance, you additionally need to update the entity status or fee address, determine who qualifies as a recognized party, and potentially make a deficiency payment. With the services of licensed CA patent agents, you can access experienced maintenance assistance for your invention applications.

Many Silicon Valley inventors are looking to California patent services to secure rights for their intellectual property. Utilizing these services, you can access a thorough patent search for your invention. Licensed agents help you file a provisional or non-provisional patent for your invention. At the same time, licensed agents provide industry experience and process knowledge. Moreover, experienced agents work alongside examiners to obtain the needed applications for your invention Furthermore, you can access experienced maintenance assistance for your invention applications. Consider the points mentioned above to learn about if you should you hire a licensed patent agent California for your invention.