Skilled New York Intellectual Property Attorneys Steer Clients Through the Patent Process

More than 50 years of experience protecting invention rights of domestic and international clients

If you have a unique non-obvious idea for a new machine, material, or method to perform a task, you will be well served to seek patent protection.   A patent consists of exclusive rights granted by the federal government to an inventor of new machines, articles, substances or processes. It gives the inventor the exclusive right to use the invention for a limited time.  Collard & Roe, P.C. has more than 50 years of experience helping inventors at all stages of patent filing and defending the patent rights from infringement.  Since 1966, our attorneys have been advising clients through patent search, application filing, and defense against infringement, when necessary.

What steps are involved in getting a patent?

Patent applicants retain the services of an experienced patent attorney who counsels applicants on filing strategy and guides them through the application process:

• Patent search — A search is conducted of previous public disclosures of inventions both within the United States and internationally to confirm originality of the idea.
• Patent application—The application is filed with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO).  The application describes the invention and sets out limits of the technology claimed in the invention. Preparation of the application requires an understanding of patent law as well as the technology being described and claimed.   Collard & Roe works directly with U.S. inventors and foreign associates to obtain the broadest possible protection. Collard & Roe, P.C. works with foreign associates to conform foreign patent applications to U.S. standards.
• Patent award or rejection — Patent prosecution in the United States typically takes between two and five years.  If the patent is allowed, the applicant pays an issue fee and the patent is granted with a protection period of 20 years from the filing date.  If rejected, the applicant may amend the application to address the Examiner’s objections through the Office Action response process or the inventor may appeal objections.

Geographic scope of a patent

Patents are granted by each country.  If the applicant is planning to market or produce the invention in another national jurisdiction, the applicant should seek patent protection in that country.   The applicant must apply for a patent in the patent office of each country where the applicant plans to do business within one year of filing the U.S. priority patent application or the applicant can file a PCT application, which allows the applicant to file internationally with a single application.  At Collard & Roe, P.C, we have a global network of legal colleagues across more than 70 countries, enabling us to represent domestic clients who want to file patents internationally and international clients who want to file in the United States.  Members of our staff are fluent in German, Italian, French, Russian, and Spanish.

Contact an experienced patent law firm to schedule an appointment

Call Collard & Roe, P.C. at 516-365-9802 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with an experienced patent attorney.  We have the skills and experience to take your case.