Patent Services Overview

International Patent Group is a highly specialized firm that provides complete patent services from the initial review of an idea or invention, through the preparation and prosecution of your patent application, to the final outcome of the examination process which hopefully results in an issued patent. Assistance can also be provided in the filing of patent applications in many foreign countries or through the international application stage (PCT). We have experience in provided services for inventions in a wide variety of industries and with corporations located all over the world, but no matter how large or small our clients get the same level of attention and detail.

Patents are highly regarded as one of the most import assets an inventor or company can have. The owning of a monopoly on an invention gives you the opportunity to control the outcome of your idea.

Probably the biggest question clients have after an invention has been conceived, is What's Next. To assist you, International Patent Group is able to provide the following services.

Patent Searches and Legal Opinion

A patentability search is probably the most valuable tool you can have during the initial stages of invention development. Our searches are performed by a registered U.S. patent agent and are never sub-contracted out. Standard patentability searches include a thorough search of U.S. patents and published applications, and a foreign patent documents.

The results of a patentability search will assist you in the decision of which type of patent application should be filed or if more work is needed on your invention.

If required, a formal legal opinion on patentability can be prepared.

Provisional Patent Application

A provisional patent application (PPA) allows you to get in the patent system more quickly and at less cost than a non-provisional patent application. It provides the means to establish an early effective filing date for any future U.S. or foreign patent application filed within 12 months from the provisional filing date. It also allows the term "Patent Pending" to be applied to your invention. This can be very useful for clients who would like to test the market place for one year before making the commitment and expense to move forward with a non-provisional patent application.

Non-Provisional Patent Applications

A non-provisional patent application is offered for three types of patents:

1. Utility patent by far, the most common type of patent. Utility patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof. Utility patents are best suited for functional inventions, such as devices, tools, or inventions with electrical or mechanical components. A utility patent has a term up to twenty (20) years from the earliest filing date of the patent application. This patent term can be extended under certain circumstances.
2. Design Patent may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture. In general, a Design patent protects only the appearance of an invention (how it looks).
3. Plant Patent may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant. This type of patent protection is rare.

International Patent Application (PCT)

An international patent application or Patent Co-Operation Treaty (PCT) application is an international treaty, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), between more than 125 Paris Convention countries. The PCT makes it possible to seek patent protection for an invention simultaneously in each of a large number of countries by filing a single “international” patent application instead of filing several separate national or regional patent applications. The granting of patents remains under the control of the national or regional patent Offices in what is called the “national phase”.