Non-provisional (NPA) patents protect the way a product is used and works, its ‘utility’. NPA protection lasts for 20 years from the filing date of the application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Non-provisional patents have filing fees associated with them. Inventors may qualify for Micro entity status, small entity or large entity status. Micro entity fees are the least expensive, followed by small entity, and large entity fees are the most expensive. Maintenance fees are charged on Non-provisional applications during their lifetime after issuance.
Design patents protect the way a product looks and last for 15 years from the date of filing with the USPTO. Design patents also have filing fees associated with them.
Provisional patent applications (PPA) expire one year from the date of filing. To maintain your original filing date they need to be followed by a Non-provisional filing which cross-references the PPA. The USPTO has a first-to-file system so it is in the best interest of every inventor to file as expediently as possible.
Plant patents are available for filing and last for 20 years. Plant patents are granted to inventors of an asexually reproduced new variety of plant, other than a tuber propagated plant or a plant found in an uncultivated state, however we do not file plant patents as they are out of our area of expertise.
Innoventive Patent Group appreciates the importance of obtaining proper patent protection and encourages our inventive and entrepreneurial clients to discuss any questions they have with us.
We’re always happy to help! We’ll only provide you with the protection that best suits your invention idea.
Feel free to visit our website at: www.innoventivepatent.com
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