Utility Patent Attorney in Kansas City, Missouri

If you don’t want your competitors to use your inventions without restriction for their own gain, you should consider filing a utility patent application. Over the years, Attorney Dale J. Ream has worked with individual inventors and companies to help register their innovations and maximize the protection of their intellectual property in the U.S. and internationally.  

If you need help with applying for a utility patent, Ream Law Firm, L.L.C., is here to assist you. With over 25 years of industry experience, the firm’s utility patents attorney in Kansas City, Missouri, can leverage his technical knowledge to help protect your inventions in any industry, including biotechnology, electronics, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and agriculture.  

What Are Utility Patents?

Utility patents are a type of intellectual property protection granted to inventors. They cover new and useful inventions or discoveries. These patents provide inventors with exclusive rights to their innovations for a specific period, typically 20 years from the filing date. During this time, others cannot make, use, sell, or import the patented invention without permission. 

Utility patents can be categorized into three main types: 

• Process patents: These protect new methods or processes of doing something. For example, a new technique for manufacturing a product. 

• Machine patents: These cover new machines or devices. Think of innovative gadgets or industrial machinery. 

• Composition of matter patents: These are granted for new chemical compositions or mixtures. Pharmaceuticals and new materials fall under this category. 

Utility patents are vital because they provide inventors with a competitive edge. By securing a patent, you can prevent others from copying or profiting from your invention. This protection encourages innovation by ensuring inventors reap the benefits of their hard work and creativity.

What Makes an Invention Patentable Over the Prior Art? 

To qualify for a utility patent, an invention must meet specific criteria. It's not enough for an idea to be novel, it must also be non-obvious and useful. 

• Novelty: An invention should never have been disclosed in any prior art, including existing patents, publications, or for public use. Conducting a thorough patent search is essential to make sure your invention is genuinely novel. 

• Non-obviousness. An invention is considered non-obvious if it wouldn't be apparent to someone skilled in the relevant field. This requirement prevents granting patents for trivial improvements or modifications of existing inventions. 

• Utility: An invention must serve a practical purpose and provide some tangible benefit. You cannot patent an invention that has no real-world application. 

If you are not sure whether your invention meets the above-mentioned requirements, you might want to consult with an experienced Kansas City utility patents attorney.  

Why Apply for a Utility Patent? 

Applying for a utility patent offers numerous advantages to inventors. Understanding these benefits can help you make an informed decision about protecting your invention. 

• You will have exclusive rights: With a patent, you have the sole authority to make, use, sell, or license your invention. This exclusivity can be a powerful tool for dominating your current market.

• You will get financial rewards: A utility patent allows you to monetize your invention through licensing agreements or sales. Many inventors generate substantial income by licensing their patented inventions to other companies. 

• You will have a competitive advantage: Having a patented invention gives you a competitive edge in the market, deterring competitors from entering your niche and providing a unique selling point that sets you apart from others. 

• You will attract investors: Investors are more likely to fund ventures with patented technologies. A utility patent demonstrates the uniqueness and potential of your invention, making it an attractive investment opportunity. 

Consider speaking with a Missouri utility patents attorney if you need legal advice for your individual case. Attorney Dale J. Ream can review your particular situation and explain how you could benefit from filing a utility patent application.  

The Utility Patent Application Process 

Applying for a utility patent involves several steps, and each of them is crucial to securing protection for your invention. Here's a breakdown of the process: 

1. Conduct a patent search: Before filing a patent application, you need your attorney to conduct a patent search to identify any existing patents or prior art that may affect the novelty of your invention.  

2. Prepare a patent application: Your application should include a detailed description of the invention, a patent drawing, as well as claims that define the scope of the invention. Hiring a patent application attorney can help make sure your application meets all the legal requirements.  

3. File with the USPTO: Once your patent application is ready, you need to file it with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The filing date is important as it establishes the priority of your invention. According to the USPTO’s website, the agency receives more than 600,000 applications every year.  

4. Examination and review: After filing, your application undergoes examination by a patent examiner. The examiner reviews your invention for novelty, non-obviousness, and utility. You may need to respond to any objections or rejections during this phase. 

5. Patent grant: If your application meets all criteria, the USPTO will grant your utility patent. You'll receive a patent certificate, and your invention will be officially protected. If the examiner still rejects your application, you – as the applicant – can appeal the decision with the help of a Missouri utility patents lawyer.