In general terms, a “utility patent” protects the way an article is used and works. Both utility and design patents may be obtained on an article if invention resides both in its utility and ornamental appearance.

The Patent Law Agency, LLC has successfully prepared and prosecuted utility and design patents, including international patents under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for inventors and corporations, large or small.

Utility patents may be granted to whoever that invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or compositions of matters, or any new and useful improvement thereof.

In general, a utility patent may be file as a provisional, non-provisional, or an international patent application (e.g., under Patent Cooperation Treaty – PCT).

U.S. Utility Provisional Patent Applications:

A provisional application for patent is a U. S. national patent application that has a pendency lasting 12 months from the date the provisional application is filed, and enables the use of the phrase “Patent Pending” to be applied in connection with a description of the invention.

In general, the legal fees and the overall patent application costs for filing of a provisional patent application are much lower than non-provisional patent applications.

U.S. Utility Non-Provisional Patent Applications:

A non-provisional application for a patent is a U.S. national patent application that has all the required components for examination by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This includes at least a specification containing a description of the invention, one or more claims defining the legal scope of your invention, and any drawings (if necessary).

Please contact Patent Law Agency, LLC for your free, no obligation initial consultation to learn about the minimum requirements needed to commence work on a provisional or a non-provisional patent application, advantages of one versus the other in terms of your overall intellectual property and business strategies for your product, and your call will be answered directly by a patent practitioner who will gladly assist you in all the details.

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