Question 1

What are drawings

Accepted Answer

Drawings are the way to show the invention so that patent examiner can understand what is noble and innovative in the invention.
Drawings easily show what inventor wants to claim.

Question 2

What is invention

Accepted Answer

A creative idea which can help simplify any difficult task.

Question 3

What is a patent?

Accepted Answer

A patent protects an innovative idea or invention by granting its owner exclusive rights, preventing others from making, using, or selling the invention without permission.

Question 4

How does a patent protect an invention?

Accepted Answer

To protect an invention, the inventor must file a patent application in their home country. To secure protection in other countries, separate patent applications must be filed in each respective country.

Question 5

What can be Patented

Accepted Answer

•Anything which is Novel – a new idea – must be first its kind in that jurisdiction.
•Must have utility – it should work.
•Must be inventiveness – must be a new development or an improvement of an existing technology that would not have been obvious to someone working in your area of specialty.
To be granted a patent, your invention can be:
•a product (a door lock)
•a composition (a chemical composition used in lubricants for door locks)
•a machine (a machine for making door locks)
•a process (a method for making door locks)
•an improvement on any of these.

Question 6

What are the basic steps of utility patent filing in the US?

Accepted Answer

Filing a utility patent in the United States through the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) typically follows these basic steps:
1. Determine Patentability
Ensure the invention is new, useful, and non-obvious.
Check if it fits under a utility patent (process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter).
2. Conduct a Patent Search
Search existing patents and publications to see if a similar invention already exists.
Use free databases such as:
United States Patent and Trademark Office Patent Search
Google Patents
Or hire a Patent Analyst/contact a company to conduct a paid prior art search.
3. Prepare the Patent Application
A utility patent application generally includes:
Specification (description of the invention)
Claims (legal scope of protection)
Abstract
Drawings (if required to understand the invention)
Oath or Declaration
Application Data Sheet (ADS)
4. Prepare Patent Drawings
Drawings must follow strict formatting rules set by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Clear line drawings are usually required for utility patents.
(This step is especially critical because poor drawing quality is a common reason for objections.)
5. File the Application
Submit the application electronically using the USPTO system:
Patent Centre (USPTO filing system)
Pay filing, search, and examination fees.
6. Application Examination
A USPTO patent examiner reviews the application.
The examiner may issue an Office Action requesting clarification, amendments, or rejecting claims.
7. Respond to Office Actions
The applicant or patent attorney responds with arguments or amended claims.
8. Allowance or Final Rejection
If the examiner finds the invention patentable, a Notice of Allowance is issued.
If not, the application may receive a final rejection (which can be appealed).
9. Pay Issue Fee and Grant
After paying the issue fee, the patent is granted and published as a U.S. utility patent.
10. Maintenance Fees
To keep the patent valid, maintenance fees must be paid at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years after grant.

Typical timeline: 2–4 years, depending on the technology area and backlog.

Question 7

What are the basic steps of design patent filing in the US?

Accepted Answer

The basic steps of filing a design patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) are as follows:
1. Determine Eligibility
A design patent protects the ornamental appearance of an article of manufacture.
The design must be new, original, and non-obvious.
2. Conduct a Design Search
Search existing design patents and published applications to check if a similar design already exists.
This can be done using free databases such as:
United States Patent and Trademark Office design patent search
Google Patents
Or hire a Patent Analyst/contact a company to conduct a paid prior art search.
3. Prepare Patent Drawings or Photographs
Drawings are the most important part of a design patent application because they define the scope of protection.
Drawings must clearly show the design from different views, such as:
Perspective view
Front view
Rear view
Left side view
Right side view
Top view
Bottom view
Broken lines may be used to show the environment or unclaimed portions.
(This is often the step where many applications get objections due to inconsistent views or poor line quality.)
4. Prepare the Specification
A design patent specification is usually short and includes:
Title of the design
Cross-reference to related applications (if any)
Statement regarding federal funding (if applicable)
Description of the figures
Single claim
5. Draft the Claim
Design patents normally have one claim, such as:

“The ornamental design for a [article], as shown and described.”
6. File the Application
Submit the application electronically through:
Patent Centre (USPTO filing system)
Required documents include:
Specification
Drawings
Oath/Declaration
Application Data Sheet (ADS)
Filing fees
7. Examination by USPTO
A patent examiner reviews the application.
The examiner may issue an Office Action requesting corrections or rejecting the design.
8. Respond to Office Actions
The applicant or attorney submits amendments or arguments addressing the examiner’s concerns.
9. Notice of Allowance and Grant
If the design is found patentable, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issues a Notice of Allowance.
After paying the issue fee, the design patent is granted.
10. Patent Term
A U.S. design patent lasts 15 years from the date of grant, and no maintenance fees are required.

Typical timeline: about 12–18 months from filing to grant.

Question 8

What are the basic steps of patent filing in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Patent applications in Canada are handled by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO).
1. Patentability Assessment
Confirm the invention is new, useful, and non-obvious.
2. Prior Art Search
Search existing patents and publications to ensure the invention is unique.
3. Prepare the Patent Application
The application generally includes:
Specification (detailed description of the invention)
Claims (legal scope of protection)
Abstract
Drawings (if needed)
Application forms
4. File the Patent Application
Submit the application to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
5. Publication
The application is published 18 months from the earliest filing date.
6. Request Examination
Examination must be requested within 4 years of the filing date.
7. Examination by CIPO
A patent examiner reviews the application and may issue Office Actions.
8. Respond to Examiner’s Reports
The applicant responds with amendments or arguments.
9. Allowance and Grant
If accepted, the patent is granted after payment of the final fee.
10. Maintenance Fees
Annual maintenance fees must be paid to keep the patent in force.

Question 9

What are the basic steps of industrial design filing in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Industrial design applications are also filed through the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
1. Determine Registrability
The design must be:
Original
Not previously published
2. Prepare Drawings or Photographs
These define the scope of protection and must clearly show:
Perspective view, front, rear, left, right, top and bottom views
3. Prepare the Application
Includes:
Title of the article
Description of the design
Drawings or photos
Applicant information
4. File the Application
Submit to the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
5. Examination
CIPO examines the application for compliance and novelty.
6. Registration
If approved, the design is registered and published.
7. Term of Protection
Industrial design protection in Canada lasts up to 15 years from registration (with a maintenance fee after 5 years).

Question 10

What are the basic steps of Patent Filing Using the PCT System?

Accepted Answer

International patent applications are filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
1. File an International Application
Submit the PCT application through:
A national office (e.g., Canadian Intellectual Property Office)
or directly via World Intellectual Property Organization.
2. International Search
An International Searching Authority (ISA) performs a prior art search and issues:
International Search Report (ISR)
Written Opinion.
3. Publication
The application is published 18 months from the priority date.
4. Optional International Preliminary Examination
Applicants may request further examination to refine claims.
5. National Phase Entry
Around 30 months from the priority date, the applicant enters individual countries where protection is desired.
6. National Examination
Each national patent office examines the application according to its local laws.

Question 11

What are the basic steps of Industrial Design Filing Using the Hague System?

Accepted Answer

International industrial design protection is available through the Hague System, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
1. Prepare the Design Application
Includes:
Drawings or photographs of the design
Description (if required)
Applicant information
2. File an International Application
Submit one application through the Hague System to the World Intellectual Property Organisation.
3. Designate Countries
Choose the countries or regions where protection is required (e.g., Canada, the EU, the US).
4. Formal Examination by WIPO
WIPO checks the application for formal requirements.
5. Publication
The design is published in the International Designs Bulletin.
6. National Examination
Each designated country examines the design according to its laws.
7. Registration and Protection
If accepted by the designated countries, the design is protected in those jurisdictions.

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