How to patent a product

What can I patent?

There are certain criteria that a product must meet in order to be patentable. It must be:

New – This means the invention has never been made before anywhere in the world before the date of the patent application. 

Inventive – Your invention must involve some kind of inventive step when compared to anything in the market, it cannot simply be a modified version of an existing product.

Applicable to industry – There must be a use of the invention in some kind of industry, as an apparatus or device, a new material, or industrial process.

An invention is not patentable if it belongs to a number of excluded categories, which include, discoveries, works of art, scientific theories, mathematical methods and methods of treatment of the human or animal body by surgery or therapy.

How much does it cost in the UK?

To see the most up-to-date forms and fees in the UK check out HMRC’s patent forms and fees.

How to patent a product

You can apply for a UK patent directly to the UK Intellectual Property Office. We would strongly recommend you seek some professional legal advice first. You don’t necessarily need to pay them to apply on your behalf, but it’s certainly worth getting a heads up on the process before you start. 

That said, there are chartered patent agents who are professionally qualified and experienced in dealing with the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and the patent application procedure. In many cases they can be worth their weight in patents, so it’s worth checking out your options.

Here’s a brief overview of the process:

1. Make your UK patent application

This is made to the UK IPO and must contain:

• Your name and address
• Request for a patent
• Description of your invention (ideally with drawings / plans)

2. Application received

The UK Intellectual Property Office will send you a receipt for your application detailing the filing date and your unique application reference number. Once you have this receipt you are free to make use of your invention without it affecting the chances of getting a patent.

It’s worth noting that anything in the public domain before your official filing date can be used to show that your idea isn’t new, and therefore would negate your application. For that reason, it’s important to apply for your patent as soon as possible. 

3. Follow up patent claims and search request

You have 12 months from your filing date to file the following:

• Claims that detail the type of protection your are applying for
• A brief summary of the invention
• A request for a search (this is subject to a fee)

Once they have these documents, the UK IPO will then search for any documents that might show similar inventions and issue you a report. This report will contain relevant information from books, scientific journals or other patents and is a good indication of whether you’re likely to succeed at getting a patent for your invention.

4. Publication of patent application 

After 18 months from your filing date your patent application will be filed and will be public for anyone to access. At this stage you still don’t have a patent and won’t be able to sue anyone for using your invention yet. 

5. Detailed patent examination

You have six months from the patent publication to pay an additional fee and request a patent examination. This is when the UK IPO will carry out a detailed examination of your patent and may contact you with reasons why your invention is not suitable for patent.

If so, you can respond with a reply to convince them that your invention is worthy of a patent – which often involves a change of description or claims of your application. 

6. Patent granted

If the UK IPO is satisfied that your invention is successful then they will grant your patent. It will be published officially in the UK IPO’s Official Journal and you’ll be sent a certificate confirming your patent.  

Alternatives to patents

Patents aren’t the only type of IP protection. You may also want to look into copyrights, trademarks, design rights or even NDAs.

• Trade marks involve some elements of branding that distinguishes a product or service from competitors. They’re most commonly used to protect brand names, logos and slogans.
• Copyright protects original expression primarily in the arts, be that literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works. That includes things like novels, plays, films, songs, paintings, photos and software.
• Design law protects the appearance of products and is often used for packaging and graphic symbols that are not covered by copyright.

If you’re wondering which option might be best for your business IP, contact a local IP specialist for their advice and the most accurate information.

FAQS

How long does the patent process take?

The whole process for getting a patent granted in the UK is usually about four years from start to finish. However, if you have a fairly straightforward invention, you pay fees early and reply promptly you could potentially complete the process in 18 months – but that’s not guaranteed.

How do I enforce my patent?

If you have a valid patent in the UK and you find out that your invention is being used without your permission then you can apply for an injunction. This allows you to stop them and claim compensation in the form of damages. To apply for an injunction you can go through the High Court, the Patents County Court or the UK Intellectual Property Office. 

Which countries are covered by my patent?

Patents are territory-specific, so patents granted by the UK Intellectual Property Office are only valid in the UK. If you want protection in other countries you will need to apply for patents in those countries. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a global patent but you can check our multi-country protection with the European Patent Convention (EPC) or the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).

Useful patent links 

https://www.innovate-design.co.uk/patent-advice/

https://www.gov.uk/patent-your-invention/decide-to-apply 

https://www.gov.uk/patent-your-invention/before-you-apply