Why Do You Need a Patent Attorney?

Having a patent attorney is so beneficial in not only maintaining the rights to your invention, but also with the entire process of obtaining a patent. The application process for getting a patent can be very long and complicated. However, if you hire a patent attorney, they will make sure that it all gets done correctly, so that you do not have to worry about any of the process. Once you get your patent, your attorney can also help you if you believe there have been any infringements on your rights. They will fight with you and for you to make sure that your rights stay yours.

What is a Patent?

A patent is a government issued license or right that is issued for a certain period of time. Unfortunately, a patent is not irreversible once you get it. It is typically only granted for 20 years after getting it. There are typically fees that will be charged to keep your patent eligible to allow you to press charges if someone infringes upon your rights.

Different Types of Patents

There are three different types of patents. Each of these different types of patents has different functions and protects different rights. The different types of patents include:

Utility Patents

When you think of a patent, you will most likely be thinking of a utility patent. These patents are documents that thoroughly teach people the processes, functions, and all of the technical elements of your invention. The kinds of inventions that can be protected by a utility patent are very clearly defined by Congress. Not every invention qualifies for a utility patent, so it is important to make sure that yours does. However, with the development of technology, boundaries are being pushed as to the inventions that qualify to be covered by a utility patent. If you want to get a utility patent for your invention, get a patent attorney to help you make sure that your invention qualifies to have one to protect your rights.

Design Patents

A design patent has a lot to do with the packaging and presentation of your invention. Some of the common uses for a design patent include the shape or design of the invention that you created. It can be very difficult to look these patents up as they are not full of words that are describing the processes, but rather are illustrations of the design elements that went into the design of your invention. This can be very beneficial to you, especially if you have a design that really sets your invention apart from your competitors. If you have an invention that has a unique design element that you would like to have protected, then you should consider getting a design patent for your invention.

Plant Patent

A plant is almost exactly the way that it sounds. It protects new types of plants that are developed through cuttings and other forms of non-sexual means. The focus of these types of patents lies in horticulture and not in the genetic modification of plants. This is important because as you develop plants through non-sexual means, you will have the opportunity to get them patented so that you can keep the newly developed plant as yours.

Who Should Get a Patent?

Anyone who is developing any sort of new invention should consider getting a patent. Getting a patent will ensure that your rights stay yours. Although patents are not legally necessary to have when selling a product, they are highly recommended. They will help protect your product from being sold by other parties, being marketed by someone else, or even from being imported. By choosing not to get a patent, you put your invention at the risk of all of these things.

When Should You Get a Patent?

If you are wanting to protect your products, then you should get a patent as soon as possible. It does not matter if you are just starting a company, or if you run a corporation that has been in business for years, a patent can help either situation. You should act on getting a patent for your company as soon as you possibly can. If not, you run the risk of someone copying your product or invention, and then having them claim it as their own. That is not something that any business owner should have to go through, so consider getting your patent sooner rather than later.

Why Beard St. Clair Gaffney?

At Beard St. Clair Gaffney, it is our main priority to help you get through the patent application process, and will help fight for you if there have been any sort of infringements of your patent. Our lawyers are passionate about helping you keep what is yours. They are well experienced and will guide you though the whole process, so that you do not have to worry about a thing. As you decide to get a patent for your new inventions, we will help you all throughout the process.

Contact Us

If you are getting a patent for your invention, contact us today. We want to help you protect your rights to your inventions. We will fight for you so that you get to always keep what is yours. Give us a call today! We look forward to working with and hearing from you.