How can we help?
Please get in touch using the form below.
We can offer virtual or in-person 1-to-1 advice sessions to meet your needs for your business journey.
Home » Intellectual Property »
A patent is a government authority or licence conferring a right or title for a set period, especially the sole right to exclude others from making, using, or selling an invention without their permission.
A UK patent may help if you want to take legal action against someone who uses your invention without your permission. For example, if they sell or manufacture your product in the UK.
A patent lasts 5 years, and you can renew it every year for up to 20 years.
For your invention to be patentable, your invention must be:
an invention that has never been public anywhere in the world before.
completely original and not just a modification.
capable of being made and used.
You have a brilliant idea, a new invention, and are unsure of what the next steps are. Below is a helpful checklist of what your next steps are to apply for a patent.
Yes, there are filing and processing fees that you must pay to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) for:
It is also recommended to pay a patent attorney to help with the application process for the best chances of getting a patent granted. This can cost up to several thousand pounds.
| STAGE | APPLY ONLINE | APPLY BY POST OR EMAIL |
|---|---|---|
| Filing an application (if you pay when you apply) | £60 | £90 |
| Filing an application (if you pay later) | £75 | £112.50 |
| Search | £150 (plus £20 for each claim over 25 claims) | £180 (plus £20 for each claim over 25 claims) |
| Substantive examination | £100 (plus £10 for each page of description over 35 pages) | £130 (plus £10 for each page of description over 35 pages) |
Your application could be processed quicker if:
