invention, FAQ, inventions, PES Ltd


Frequently Asked Questions

.....(and Frequently Made Comments!)

Contents:
FAQ 1. Do I need to send you engineering (CAD) drawings?
FAQ 2. I have looked everywhere for this product and I can't find anything like it...?
FAQ 3. How long does a patent last for? And what countries will the patent apply in?


FAQ 1. Do I need to send you engineering (CAD) drawings?

..............No, we just need a brief description in your own words plus one or two informal sketches (once we have established confidentiality).

FAQ 2. I have looked everywhere for this product and I can't find anything like it...?

..............Even though no product may exist, there might be relevant patents. Thousands of patents are applied for each year and the vast majority do not become products.

FAQ 3. How long does a patent last for? And what countries will the patent apply in?

........ The short answers are: virtually worldwide initially but you have to specify later...and patent coverage lasts 20 years once granted. The longer answer is as follows!
 
Please note that PES has no in-house patent agents/attorneys. Ideally you should talk to a chartered patent attorney or someone at the IPO (Intellectual Property Office, formerly the Patent Office) before you apply for a patent (we recommend Mr Graham Jones OBE, based in Blackheath, London).
 
However a general outline is as follows:
 
Patent application
 
You can do this yourself at no cost but we believe that this is a false economy because a patent specification is a legal document. If it is challenged later it needs to be written in a way that will be defendable.
 
Patent Co-operation Treaty (PCT)
 
Very briefly, this treaty means that any patent application made in one country, is recognised in almost all other countries.
 
Once you have made the patent application you have up to one year of 'grace'.  That is, you don't have to do anything further for up to one year. However after this you must decide what you want to do.
 
There are three main options (for UK residents):
 
1. Continue the application as a UK-only patent
2. Contunue with the UK application and proceed with international patents
3. Withdraw the application before it is published (you lose your 'priority date' but the idea remains secret and so you can apply again subsequently for the same idea)
 
In our view you should not apply for a patent until you have made and tested something.
 
We also believe that you should not proceed with international patenting unless a commercial arrangement is very well set up (such as clear written interest from potential buyers).
 
Patent timescale
 
It usually takes at least a couple of years to get a granted patent. The patent 'monopoly' lasts 20 years.

FAQ 4. ?