What is a Patent?
A patent for an invention is the grant of a property right to the
inventor. Patents are granted for new, useful and non-obvious inventions for a period of 20
years from the filing date of patent application, and provide the right to exclude others from
exploiting the invention during that period.
Do I need to hire a lawyer or agent?
The patent application process is complex. If you are ready to apply
for a patent, we strongly advise you contact to a registered patent attorney or agent. Only
registered attorneys and agents may help others to obtain patents.C&H patent attorneys are here for you with high expertise.
Can I obtain international patent protection for my invention?
There are two treaties that provide for international protection.
One is the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property which governs 140
participating countries and the other Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) which governs over
100 member countries.
How much does it cost to apply for a patent?
The two main costs involved in a patent application would be the
official filing fees and your patent agent's fees (if you engage one). The total cost varies
from case to case depending on the approach you take and the complexity of the case.C&H offer the most competitive fees with efficient service.
Can I patent an idea of a new invention?
No, an idea of a new invention alone cannot be patented. To qualify
for patent protection, an invention has to be applied to a product or process and has to fulfil
other criteria such as being new, involving an inventive step and be capable of industrial
application.