Patent Pending

Patent Pending

You may well have seen the words 'patent pending' on a product you have bought and wondered what it meant. 'Patent pending' means that the inventor has applied for a patent but it is still in the process of being looked at by the Patent Office and therefore may or may not be granted.

'Patent pending' usually means that the inventor or company are waiting for the patent to be granted and this is just a question of time until the patent office have completed their examination. Sometimes it is best to wait until the patent has been granted before beginning production, but often companies wish to market their new ideas quickly to maximise sales before a competitor has a similar idea.

Before the patent has been granted an individual or company can contest the patent if they feel that it breaches an already existing patent for a product of their own design.

It is illegal to use the phrase 'Patent Pending' until after you have made your application for a patent and you have received the patent filing receipt. If you use "Patent Pending" before filing an application or without filing an application at all then you are in direct contravention of the UK Patent and Copyright laws and could be liable to a large fine or even a prison sentence.

Patent Search Why you should conduct a global patent search Conducting a global patent search prior to filing your patent application can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. In this section we explain why also how to commission a search.

Patent Application How to apply for a patent This section tells you everything you need to know about completing a Patent Application includes info on: writing a description, claims and abstract and completing patent drawings.

The Patent Process The process involved in getting your patent granted The patent process can be complicated and quite involved. This section provides an overview of the steps involved in patenting your idea. We go through the steps involved from patent application to patent granted.

Filing a Patent How to file a patent application with the UK IPO Everything you need to know about filing your patent application including what patent forms to fill in and how much it will cost. A complete guide to ensure your application is filed correctly.