You can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to talk about your invention and get advice on whether a provisional, utility, or design patent application is right for you. During this call or online meeting, a patent professional will listen to your idea, explain the options, and help you understand what kind of patent protection fits your needs. All discussions are confidential and protected by a non-disclosure agreement.
All invention details are kept confidential through strict internal procedures and a comprehensive non-disclosure agreement. Every consultation and communication you have with the team is protected under this agreement. Files and documents are managed using secure cloud-based technology, so unauthorized people can’t access your information. Only patent professionals working on your case see the details, and everything stays private the entire way through the patent application process. Confidentiality is a top priority, making sure your idea is protected before, during, and after filing with the USPTO.
If your patent application gets a rejection or is challenged by the USPTO with an office action, a patent professional can help you respond. Handling USPTO office actions is part of patent prosecution and usually involves arguing your case, amending claims, or clarifying your invention to overcome any objections. Getting expert help gives your application a stronger chance of moving forward and protects your rights during the process.
A prior art patent search is offered before you file for a patent. This search checks existing patents and published ideas to see if your invention is new and unique. It helps avoid spending money on a patent application if something similar already exists. You’ll get a detailed report about whether your invention is likely to be patentable, including examples of related patents and advice on next steps. This way, you know your chances before deciding to move forward with the full patent process.
An intellectual property law firm can help you file a PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) application if you want to seek patent protection in multiple countries outside the US. Filing a PCT application makes it easier to request patent rights internationally with a single filing instead of separate applications for each country. The cost typically starts at the standard utility patent service fee plus an additional $5,000, along with official fees charged by the patent office for each country you choose. This process gives you extra time and options before deciding where you want your invention protected globally.
A utility patent protects how something works—like how a machine, product, or process functions. A design patent protects just how something looks, covering the new and original shape, pattern, or surface decoration of a product. If your idea is about unique technology or a new way something operates, you’ll want a utility patent. If the invention’s value is in its appearance or style, a design patent is likely the right choice. Sometimes, you may need both. Talking with a patent attorney can help you decide which best protects your invention and fits your goals.
A design patent protects the way a product looks—the shape, surface, or overall visual appearance. It’s used when you want to make sure no one copies how your invention looks but not how it works. A utility patent protects how something works, how it’s used, or how it’s made. If your big idea is about a new function, technology, or way something operates, that’s usually utility. You might need a design patent, a utility patent, or both, depending on your invention. The best way to know which fits your situation is to talk with a patent professional about what makes your idea special—function, appearance, or both.
A utility patent protects how something works, like the way an invention functions or is used. A design patent covers how something looks, focusing on the unique shape, surface, or appearance. If your idea relies on a new process, feature, or mechanism, you probably need a utility patent. If the main thing you want to protect is the look or ornamentation, a design patent is right. Sometimes inventors use both to get full protection. It helps to start with a patent search to see what kind of protection fits your invention best and speak with a patent professional for specific advice.
Patent application costs can vary, but most law firms charge separate fees for their services and the required USPTO filing fees. For example, preparing and filing a provisional patent application might cost around $899 just for the firm’s service, with USPTO filing fees added on top. Non-provisional utility patent applications usually run about $4,799 for the preparation and filing, plus you pay the official USPTO fees separately. Design patent applications typically cost about $1,999, also not including government fees. The separate USPTO filing fees depend on the type of application and whether you qualify as a small or micro-entity. Always double-check whether the pricing you get includes both the firm’s fees and the required USPTO costs, so you know the total amount you’ll need to budget.
After you submit your invention details, getting patent protection is a process that depends on the type of patent and how complex your idea is. For provisional patent applications, you can get "patent pending" status right away—usually within a week or two of filing. For full (non-provisional) utility or design patent applications, the review by the USPTO takes longer. Most applicants wait between one to three years to see if their patent is approved, but you have protection from the date you file while your application is pending, so it's important to start the process as soon as you’re ready.
You can work with the firm remotely using a secure cloud-based system. Everything—from your first consultation to document sharing and filing—can be done online, so you never have to visit in person. To get started, just share some basic information about your invention or idea using the online form or by email, including your name, contact details, and a short description of what you need help with. All information you send is kept confidential and protected under a non-disclosure agreement, making your remote experience safe and secure.
Before you talk about your invention or prototype, you’ll usually be covered under a strict confidentiality policy right from the start. You don’t have to worry—your ideas are protected by attorney-client privilege as well as a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), which means anything you share stays private. This is standard practice so inventors feel safe sharing details without the risk of their ideas being leaked or stolen. The NDA is often signed at or before the first meeting so you can freely discuss your invention and get the legal help you need.
An intellectual property law firm can help you draft and file a provisional patent application, which gives you “patent pending” status. This means you can secure your place in line at the USPTO while you keep working on your invention or prototype. The provisional application provides you with a year to further develop or refine your idea before you need to file a non-provisional (full) patent application for longer-term protection. This step is important if you want to protect your invention early, especially before talking to manufacturers, partners, or investors.
If you’ve already filed a patent application by yourself, a patent law firm can still step in and help with the USPTO prosecution process. This means they can handle responses to office actions, communicate with the patent examiner, make legal arguments for your case, and guide you until your patent is granted or finalized. Getting professional help at this stage can boost your chances of patent protection by making sure all deadlines and requirements are met and that your application is as strong as possible.
If you don’t protect your invention with a patent before pitching or selling it, someone else could copy your idea, claim it as their own, or even file their own patent first. This means you might lose the ability to get patent rights, and competitors could profit from your hard work. Without patent protection, it’s much harder to stop others from using, making, or selling your invention, and you risk missing out on the benefits, legal rights, and future value your idea could provide.
A patent lawyer or patent agent can usually help you draft and file a patent application even if you only have sketches or a rough prototype. It’s common for inventors to start with basic drawings or early models. The key is that you can clearly explain how your invention works, what makes it different, and why you think it’s new. From your sketches and description, a patent professional can help write the application, put together proper patent drawings, and guide you through the USPTO filing process. Getting expert help early can really improve your chances of strong patent protection, even at this early stage.
You can get most patent services with clear flat-fee pricing, including filing design and utility patent applications. For example, filing a design patent application has a set fee, and so does a utility patent application. This helps you know costs upfront without worrying about hourly rates. Hourly billing usually only comes up if your case needs extra work later, like responding to USPTO office actions. Most inventors start and finish their application with just the flat-fee service.
A patent law firm can help you decide if you should begin with a prior art search or move right into filing a provisional patent application. A prior art search checks if similar inventions already exist, which saves you time and money if your idea isn’t new. Professionals use your invention details to run a thorough search and explain your options. If your invention seems unique, then filing a provisional patent application can secure your “patent pending” status for a year while you develop your idea further. The right choice depends on your goals, budget, and how much you know about the competition, which a patent team can talk through with you.
If you get a USPTO office action after filing your patent application, help is available to review the examiner’s concerns and prepare a response. An office action is a letter from the patent office that might reject or question part of your application. A patent professional can explain what the office action means, guide you on the best way to answer, make any needed changes to your patent claims or drawings, and handle communication with the USPTO. This step is important because it keeps your patent application moving forward and protects your idea. Fees for responding to office actions are usually set by the complexity of each case.
Drafting and filing a non-provisional utility patent application is offered on a flat-fee basis. The pricing is clear up front—$4,799 plus any required USPTO fees. This covers preparing and submitting your utility patent application, so you know exactly what to expect for the main costs before you start. Transparent pricing makes it easier to budget and plan for your patent protection.
To draft a strong patent application and help avoid delays with the USPTO, you’ll need to share a full description of your invention—how it works, what makes it unique, and why it’s useful or different. Detailed drawings or sketches are important, especially for design patents. Information about when you first created or publicly showed your idea, whether you have made prototypes, and any similar products or patents you know about also helps a lot. If there are features you’re most proud of or problems your invention solves, mention those clearly. The more detail you provide upfront, the smoother and faster the patent process usually goes.
A patent law firm can review a USPTO office action, help you understand what the examiner’s feedback means, and explain your options before any response drafting starts. This review process lets you know what your chances are, what arguments or changes might work, and how best to move forward with your patent application. That way, you feel confident before making any decisions or paying for the next steps.
Patent prosecution is the process that happens after you file a patent application, including responding to questions or rejections from the USPTO examiner. Help is available for handling examiner communications, office actions, and any other steps needed to move your application forward. Support includes drafting professional responses and making sure your invention stays protected through every stage of the process.