The Patent Registration Process

The patent registration process

The patent registration process runs through a defined set of stages, similar in structure to trademark registration but with much more technical depth.

Both stages should be run under the guidance of a specialist patent agent such as Sistem Patent, but a general understanding of the process is useful for the inventor.

Before the process starts, it helps to know which products can be patented.

An invention has to meet three criteria for a patent:

• Novelty: Before the filing date, no information about the invention must have been made available to the public anywhere in the world.
• Inventive step: Experts in the relevant technical field would not be able to produce the invention as a simple derivation from current knowledge.
• Industrial applicability: The invention must be capable of being produced or applied in industry.

Once these three criteria are met, the registration process can begin.

Obtaining a patent

Before the filing starts, the inventor and the patent agent at Sistem Patent prepare the patent description together.

The patent description is the single most important document in the filing set. In addition to the description, the file includes:

• Drawings of the invention
• Abstract (general information about the invention)
• Claims (the parts of the invention the applicant wants to register, stating what provides the novelty)
• Completed application form filed without gaps

Once the documents are complete, Sistem Patent starts the patent registration process. The filing can be submitted online through the patent registration service on the website, or physically via document transfer.

Once the patent application is filed, it goes through a formal examination first. Any gaps identified at the formal examination are corrected, and a formal compliance notice is then issued.

Within 15 months of filing, the inventor has to request the search report.

Registration of inventions splits into two paths: patent registration and utility model registration. For an examined patent, the inventor has the right to request examination up to 3 times for the same invention following the search report. A positive response from the authority earns the right to an examined patent certificate.

The patent registration process is long and carries real costs. For that reason, following the process under Sistem Patent's guidance prevents both financial and non-financial loss.

Why a registered agent matters for patent applications

The full patent registration cycle can run from 1 to 4 years. To avoid losing rights, losing time, or facing avoidable refusals, an experienced patent agent takes on the work. Sistem Patent handles the full cycle on the client's behalf.