Step 4: Filing patent application
When you are ready with the well-drafted patent application, you can file it in UK intellectual property office.
there are few options while filing patent application, you can file entire patent application along with filing fees at the time of filing patent application or you may choose to file only description and drawings and initial stage and you can file claims and abstract later, but sending things seperately may increase the delay in getting patent granted.
The filing fees as well can be paid either at the time of filing patent application or later, but it needs to be paid before the patent application is taken for further steps.
it is recommended to file an entire patent application in one go and by paying filing fees along with search fees to speed up the process and get a quicker grant for patent.
| filing patent application | Responsibilities | |
| Inventor |  | reviewing patent application and signing formalities (power of attorney) |
| Patent agent or attorney |  | preparing patent application for filing. recommending best filing route and options for international patent application (if required). |
| Patent office |  | receive patent application and provide the receipt along with date and time of filing the patent application. |
Attorney fees for filing a patent application in UK : Generally, there is no professional fees charged for patent filing patent application (provided fees are paid for patentability search and patent drafting )
Official fees for filing a patent application in UK : There are many things needed to consider before giving an exact fee amount, as it depends on the number of sheets in the patent specification, the number of claims, etc. but below are approximate costing for this stage.
| Form no. | Title | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Request for grant of patent | application fee is reduced to £60 if paid at the time of filing patent application |
| AF1 | Pay the application fee if it has not already been paid with Form 1 or Form 9A | £75 |
The outcome of this step that is filing patent application is :
- You receive a receipt for filing patent application UKIPO with invention title, your name along with time and date of filing.
- Now, your patent application have secured a priority date for your invention, which makes you less worried about the confidentiality and safety of your invention.
- The patent application will be taken to subsequent steps requests and fees submitted as per standards.
International patent application
The patents are territorial in nature, so if you file patent in UK, you are getting protection in UK only. You cannot stop use of invention outside UK.
Therefore, if you desire that your invention should be protected in multiple countries, depending on your preference of countries different options, paths, and strategies for filing a patent application is to be adopted with the guidance of a patent agent/attorney.
International patent application:
- different options and routes available
- strategies to go about international patent filing
- Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) application
- Paris convention and other routes
Next article Step 5: Publication of patent application
- Indian Patent Office, Govt. of India
- Patent Facilitator for Start-ups, Startup India Govt. of India
- Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Telecommunication engineering.
- Author of multiple books on Patents and IPR including a best-selling book on “How to patent an idea in India” which has been selected as the “Memorable Business Book of 2018” by Amazon
- Books are included in the syllabus of Educational Institutions as textbook and reference book on subject of IPR and Patents
- For over 15 years, Prasad has helped protect the intellectual property rights (IPR) of more than 1800 clients, including individuals, entrepreneurs, and educational institutes. This includes patents, trademarks, designs, and copyrights.