Frequently asked questions FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (Patent FAQ)

Patent FAQ and law practice FAQ

Answers to some frequently asked questions about the business and technical aspects of the patent application process (patent FAQ) are below.
Business related FAQ
FAQ about writing patents
Answer 1
Time required to write a patent application?

Starting from scratch, regular (utility) patent applications typically take about 20-30 hours to write. Simpler patent applications tend to take closer to 20 hours. Complex patent applications can take closer to 30 hours or even more. You can reduce costs by providing a high-quality initial write-up. One exception is when a single “application” really is a series of patent applications. In this case, the time needed for the series can be higher.

One way to save money up-front is to consider filing a provisional patent application. Spend about half the time on a provisional as you might spend on a regular (non-provisional) patent application. Note, however, that you will have to follow-up with a regular (non-provisional) patent within a year.

Design patents are relatively inexpensive, and typically only take about 6-8 hours of my time to do.

I do not give “volume discounts.” However, if you give me a series of related patents, we can save money. This is because we can reuse some of the text and drawings between patents. When this happens, the number of hours needed per patent can be less.

Answer 2
Do you need invention prototypes?

There is no legal requirement for a working prototype; however, the more details you have, the better. I have made quite a few successful patent applications based on just an hour’s conversation and a few informal sketches or photographs. Here I bring a lot to the table because I can draw upon my extensive technology experience to supply the necessary background and fill in gaps. If I see problems (e.g., the concept looks like something old rather than something new, or there are too many missing details), I will tell you so, and we can try to adjust accordingly.

Answer 3
How can I reduce costs?

The best way to reduce costs is by doing a lot of work beforehand. You can find some useful guidelines here. See also the article by Gene Quinn entitled:  “Patent Reality: Basement Prices Mean Basement Quality.”

Even if you have almost no budget at all, you can still get at least some protection for up to a year by doing the best you can at writing up the invention and then engaging me to file this write-up for you on an as-is basis. This is very inexpensive since this usually only takes me about an hour to do. The main risks are that if you do not provide enough detail, the patent office may later determine that your provisional application did not give them enough information. If this happens, you could lose the benefit of your provisional filing date, and possibly your invention itself.

Answer 4
What are your rates, and how do you bill?

I can often give a relatively firm total amount once I understand the scope of the project. However, if we go substantially overtime, I reserve the right to first warn about the overtime and then charge extra if we can’t wrap things up soon after that.

I typically request 50% of the projected writing fee upfront, with the remaining 50% (plus patent filing fees and any artists fees) due right before submission.

Answer 5
Can you handle emergency (rush) patent applications?

Yes, I usually can. Patent attorneys often get a lot of frantic, last-minute requests!

Answer 6
Why should I care about PTO “35 USC 112” rejections?

A “35 USC 112” rejection is patent-speak for patent claims that are too vague or ambiguous. The USPTO requires that: “The specification shall contain a written description of the invention, and of the manner and process of making and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains, or with which it is most nearly connected, to make and use the same, and shall set forth the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out his invention.”

Patent examiners determine if you have met this requirement. They are intelligent non-experts, usually with undergraduate degrees in physical science, engineering, or the biological sciences. Their goal is to skim your patent and find a plausible reason to reject it. They see a lot of poorly written patents and tend to be very skeptical. So, your patent application should provide an adequate background. It should also clearly define terms. You should strive to explain the material in a manner that can be quickly understood by an intelligent non-expert.

Answer 7
Why should I consider “KSR v Teleflex” for obviousness?

KSR v Teleflex is the name of a 2007 Supreme Court decision that ruled that determinations of obviousness (35 USC 103) should not be made in a “narrow, rigid manner” because a “person of ordinary skill is also a person of ordinary creativity, not an automaton.” In practice, this decision has had some unintended consequences. Many inventions look obvious in hindsight, and unfortunately, KSR v Teleflex has removed some of the earlier protections against such hindsight bias. This increases the burden on applicants to prove (to the examiner) that their invention is not obvious in the light of prior art.

An article by Mandel discusses this problem in depth. You need to consider examiner psychology and “trust”. If you were an examiner, which application would you like better?

1) an application that simply gives the invention and doesn’t cite much (if any) prior art, leaving the examiner in the dark as to what is new and what is old; or

2) an application that clearly explains the invention in the context of prior art, and shows how the invention solves problems not addressed by prior art.

Answer 8
How does the “Alice” decision impact software patents?

The 2014 “Alice Corp v. CLS Bank International” case was about several financial-trading software patents for escrow services. The patents were terrible, but the Supreme Court decision in the case was almost incoherent.

A WIPO (European) analysis of “Alice”, including an amusing and informative cartoon summary of the various issues, can be seen at:  https://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2014/04/article_0004.htm

Given the underlying incoherence of the ruling, the net effect has been to add a bit of a “random element” to the patent process. As a rule of thumb, it is good to avoid adding particular “trigger” words to patent claims (mainly financial terms). It is also good to give specific examples whenever possible.

For additional discussion and answers to other patent FAQ, trademark FAQ, and copyright FAQ, see my blog.

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