A patent is a legal tool that gives the inventor exclusive rights to their invention. This protection encourages creativity and innovation by ensuring that inventors can profit from their ingenuity. The process of getting a patent, however, can be long and complex. Companies like InventHelp are often engaged by inventors to guide them through the process. Let’s see how long does it take to get a patent with InventHelp’s assistance? While the duration varies depending on several variables, generally, one can expect it to take about one to three years.

Initial Steps

After you’ve come up with an idea that you think is unique, you need to begin the process of applying for a patent. Here’s a general timeline:

• Feasibility Study (1-3 months): The first step even before embarking on the patenting journey is analyzing the feasibility of your invention. Is the invention patentable? Is it feasible in terms of the market, technology, and cost? This step can take anywhere between 1 to 3 months.
• Patent Search (1-2 months): Next, you conduct a patent search. This crucial step allows you to determine whether your invention is truly unique. You can’t patent an idea if someone else has already patented something similar. Firms like InventHelp can provide assistance in conducting these searches efficiently.

Patent Application

If all your initial checks point to a unique, feasible invention, the next step is to start the patent application.

Drafting and Filing a Patent Application (2-3 months): This involves drafting a detailed description of your invention, claims (parts of the invention you want protected), abstract, and possibly some drawings. Services offered by InventHelp can be invaluable at this stage to assisting in drafting and filing the application document at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or the appropriate patent office in your country.

Post-Filing Process

After filing, your patent application goes through a few more steps:

• Preliminary Examination (1-3 months): After the patent office, such as the USPTO, receives your application, it first undergoes a preliminary examination. This process primarily checks for filing errors and typically takes one to three months.
• Patent Docketing and Waiting (18-24 months): This period is essentially a long wait while your application is assigned to a patent examiner.
• Substantive Examination (6-18 months): Next, your patent application undergoes a substantive examination where the patent examiner reviews your invention in detail, including the claims you have made. InventHelp’s patent referral services can facilitate this examination process by providing consultation and addressing queries raised by the examiner.
• Grant or Rejection (1-3 months): Finally, the patent examiner will either approve your application, in which case your patent is granted, or reject it. With InventHelp’s guidance, the chances of approval can be enhanced.

Does InventHelp guarantee success? No. No one can guarantee the outcome of a patent application, because every invention is unique and requires its own level of expertise. But InventHelp’s team of experienced professionals will work with you to develop a strategy that maximizes your chances of success.

Summary

Navigating the patent filing process can be challenging and time-consuming, but the potential rewards can be worth the effort. Companies like InventHelp can be a valuable partner in this endeavor, providing expert guidance and increasing your chances of success. From start to finish, obtaining a patent typically takes between 1 to 3 years, though complex cases could extend this timeline. Therefore, patience, perseverance, and a good deal of planning are crucial for any inventor embarking on the journey to patent their creation.