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In
relation to inventions, we recommend that a subject matter search is
carried out at the start of the procedure to avoid wasting money on
technical projects which are already disclosed in published
literature. We use relevant keywords in combination with
International Patent Classification codes and the search results are
generally available two to three weeks from receipt of complete
instructions. The search will also uncover earlier patents which you
may be at risk of infringing by endeavoring to commercialise the new
technology. Although we do not recommend this approach, the search
can be circumvented in the event that you are keen to press on with
the filing of a patent application.
In the
event that you are happy to proceed with a patent application in the
light of the results of a search, we would recommend filing a
provisional UK patent application before the UK Intellectual
Property Office. We estimate a general timescale of approximately
four to five weeks to prepare and file a provisional UK patent
application from the date we receive complete instructions including
drawings.
Filing
a provisional patent application in the United Kingdom starts a
period of twelve months during which the subject matter of the
patent application will be protected provisionally world-wide,
subject to you proceeding with the application at the end of the
twelve month period. At the end of this period, you have the option
of proceeding by:-
(a)
Filing a complete patent application in the United Kingdom only;
(b)
Filing complete National and/or regional patent applications to
cover the specific countries in which you are interested in having
protection for your invention;
(c)
Filing a European Patent Application; or
(d)
Filing an International Patent Application.
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