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Trademark Advice
How can I reduce the costs of my patent application?
For a European patent application, extra official fees are incurred on sixteen or more claims and thirty five pages or more.
Why should I patent my invention?
A patent will give you legal protection against unauthorised copying. The patent number can be used on your product, website and literature as a deterrent.
Can I patent a Business Method / Software / a Game ?
In the USA, yes if it is unique and inventive. But in the UK and Europe, it is likely to be much more difficult or impossible. However, a Registered Design might be suitable. Ask us for further advice.
Should I request examination of my European patent application when I file it?
For a direct filed (not PCT) European patent application, delaying examination to around 24 months from priority can save costs.
I have a local or domestic patent application, eg. in the USA or UK. When should I be filing an equivalent European patent application?
File your European patent application at any time within the first 12 months of your first filed patent application, and claim its priority thereby effectively back-dating your European patent application.
Trademark Tips
Save money by giving as many details, drawings, embodiments and possible modifications to your invention at the beginning of the patenting process.
This should avoid re-filing to add in new material at a later date, thus keeping your costs down.
If you have filed an initial patent application in your home country and are considering an international PCT patent application, analyse any available search results prior to filing and consider modifying the claims to make them as unique and inventive as possible.
Since the UK patent search takes around 4 months, request it when first filing your patent application. You will then have this important information when considering patent protection overseas at 12 months from initial filing.