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Patent law in the United Kingdom, including in Taunton, seeks to protect the rights of inventors. Simply put, a patent is a legal right granted to an inventor to prevent others from using, making, selling, or importing their invention without authorization. The legal rights conferred in the United Kingdom last for a maximum of 20 years from the date of filing, provided the prescribed annual renewal fees are paid. The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) handles patent registration applications and appeals in the country.
You may need a patent lawyer - often referred to as a patent attorney - to assist you in drafting and filing a patent application. The application process is meticulous and can be lengthy, thus, having an expert to guide you through every stage is invaluable. A patent attorney can also provide invaluable advice on patentability, infringement due diligence, and enforcement. They can also represent you in litigation cases regarding allegations of patent infringement or disputes over patent ownership.
Patent law in Taunton follows the standards laid out by the larger UK patent system. This includes a close scrutiny of all patents to ensure that they are novel, have an inventive step, industrial applicability, and are outside the list of exclusions, as defined in Section 1 (2) of the UK Patents Act 1977. It also demands that all applications disclose the invention in a way that allows it to be performed by a person skilled in the art, and define the scope of protection sought in the claims.
The patent application process usually takes several years. Initial registration with the UK Intellectual Property Office can take between 12 to 18 months whereas, for more complex inventions, the full patent process can take up to four or five years.
The costs of obtaining a patent vary significantly depending on the complexity of the invention and whether you hire an attorney. On the low end, fees can be a few hundred pounds, but for more complex inventions needing attorney assistance, costs can run into thousands.
Yes, you can sell or license your patent to another individual or company. In fact, this is a common strategy for generating income from a patented invention.
Patents can be granted for products or processes that fulfill a specific function. This can include technological innovations, chemical formulas, drugs, and machinery. However, there are exceptions, such as scientific theories, mathematical methods, or aesthetic creations, which cannot be patented.
Yes, you can, but it requires submitting your patent application to each country where you want to have protection. Consider taking advantage of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) which enables you to apply for protection in up to 153 countries with a single application.
The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) provides a wealth of resources related to obtaining patents in the UK, including guides for filing applications, search tools for existing patents, and documentation on rules and procedures.
If you need legal assistance with your patent, consider reaching out to a patent attorney in Taunton. They are well-versed in local and national patent laws and can best advise you on how to protect your invention. Remember, it is crucial to do this before publicly disclosing your invention to maintain its novelty.
