Speed Up The Patent Process

Are you just beginning the filing process for an idea? Now is the time to consider how quickly you want your application processed. According to Inventors Digest, the patent office offers a three track system for inventors moving at different paces.

Accelerated Examination. For an additional fee, applicants may request expedited examination for an application. The goal is to grant a patent or reject it within 12 months. To qualify the application must be an original utility or plant non-provisional application; be filed electronically (EFS-Web); have no more than four independent claims and a maximum of 30 total claims.

Normal Examination. Normal examination is the process used by the USPTO today. Applications are examined in the order in which they are filed. Existing fees apply.

Delayed Examination. Delayed examination gives an applicant up to 30 months to defer the start of the examination process. At any point during the 30 months the inventor can trigger entry into one of the other tracks by paying the initial examination fee. Payment of fees is delayed until examination begins. There are circumstances where delayed examination is desirable and it can save inventors money by delaying payment of fees.

Photo by Jeffrey Keeton

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