Patent Applications

Patents provide exclusive rights to your inventions, preventing others from making, using, or selling your innovations without permission. Our specialist patent solicitors help inventors and businesses secure robust patent protection.

What Our Patent Application Solicitors Can Help With

• UK Patent Applications: Filing patents with the UK Intellectual Property Office
• European Patent Applications: Protection across European Patent Office member states
• PCT Applications: International patent applications under Patent Cooperation Treaty
• Patent Searches: Prior art searches and patentability assessments
• Patent Drafting: Technical specification and claims preparation
• Patent Prosecution: Responding to examiner objections and amendments
• Patent Portfolio Management: Strategic management of multiple patent assets
• Patent Opposition: Defending patents against opposition proceedings

What Can Be Patented

Patentable Subject Matter:

• Products: New machines, devices, compositions, compounds
• Processes: Manufacturing methods, chemical processes
• Improvements: Enhancements to existing inventions
• Software-Related Inventions: Technical applications of software
• Biotechnology: Genetic sequences, pharmaceutical compounds
• Medical Devices: Surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment

Requirements for Patentability:

• Novelty: Must be new and not previously disclosed
• Inventive Step: Non-obvious to person skilled in the art
• Industrial Application: Must be capable of industrial use
• Sufficiency: Must enable person skilled in art to perform invention
• Unity: Single general inventive concept

What Cannot Be Patented

Excluded Subject Matter:

• Scientific theories and mathematical methods
• Literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works
• Schemes, rules or methods for mental acts
• Methods of medical treatment
• Business methods as such
• Computer programs as such
• Presentations of information
• Immoral or contrary to public order inventions

UK Patent Application Process

1. Prior Art Search: Comprehensive search of existing patents and publications
2. Patentability Assessment: Evaluating invention against patent requirements
3. Application Drafting: Preparing detailed specification and claims
4. Filing: Submitting application with UK IPO
5. Publication: Application published 18 months after filing
6. Substantive Examination: Detailed examination by patent examiner
7. Amendment and Response: Addressing examiner objections
8. Grant: Patent certificate issued if requirements met

Patent Costs and Timeframes

UK Patent Costs:

• Filing fee: £280 (£70 if filed online)
• Search fee: £150
• Examination fee: £130
• Grant fee: £40
• Annual renewal fees: £70-£600 (increasing over time)
• Professional fees: £3,000-£8,000 for standard applications

International Patent Costs:

• European Patent: €4,000-€6,000+ total costs
• PCT Application: £3,000-£5,000 initial filing
• National phase entry: £2,000-£5,000 per country
• US Patent: $5,000-$15,000+ total costs

Patent Timeframes:

• UK patent examination: 2-4 years
• European patent: 3-5 years
• PCT process: Up to 30/31 months for national phase
• Patent term: 20 years from filing date

International Patent Strategy

European Patent Office (EPO):

• Single application for multiple European countries
• Validation required in each designated state
• Unitary Patent system coming soon
• High-quality examination standards

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT):

• International preliminary application
• Delays national filing requirements
• International search and examination
• Entry into national phase by 30/31 months

Patent Strategy Considerations

Business Considerations:

• Commercial value and market potential
• Competitive landscape analysis
• Freedom to operate assessments
• Licensing and monetisation opportunities
• Trade secret vs patent protection
• International filing strategy

Technical Considerations:

• Breadth vs strength of claims
• Continuation and divisional strategies
• Specification quality and enablement
• Prior art landscape and differentiation
• Amendment opportunities during prosecution

Why Choose SolicitorConnect for Patent Applications

• Technical Expertise: Patent attorneys with scientific and engineering backgrounds
• Strategic Approach: Business-focused patent portfolio development
• International Experience: Global patent filing and prosecution
• Industry Knowledge: Specialists across multiple technical fields
• Cost Management: Efficient prosecution to control patent costs
• Commercial Understanding: Aligning patent strategy with business objectives

Patent applications require both technical expertise and strategic thinking to maximise protection and commercial value.

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal advice tailored to your situation, please consult with a qualified solicitor.