Those hoping to develop new brands or products often patent their creations to ensure sole control over a concept or new product. The process of prosecuting a patent is a lengthy one that often takes months to complete and requires the assistance of a specialized legal professional.
Legal professionals may assist with paperwork and communicating with examiners who work for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). They may also provide assistance with the patent search process.
Why do those with unique ideas outsource the patent search process?
1. Fewer delays before prosecution
When people unfamiliar with patent searches attempt to review existing patents and pending patent applications, they may struggle to understand the dense paperwork and technical language included in patent documents. A lack of familiarity with the process can lead to major processing delays.
Working with an outside party for the patent search process can lead to a faster search that does not take valuable workers away from their primary job functions or strain the in-house legal counsel supporting business leaders with daily operational needs.
2. Less risk of infringement
Patent re-examinations and other controversies can arise in cases where the patent search process does not thoroughly review existing patents and patent applications. In some cases, businesses end up mired in litigation or lose patents after prosecuting them. The support of the outside professional during the patent search process can significantly reduce the likelihood of infringement allegations in the future.
3. Fewer patent prosecution expenses
Some people might believe that hiring a professional to conduct a patent search might increase the cost of prosecution. However, a thorough search conducted before submitting paperwork to the USPTO can actually reduce the total costs associated with patent prosecution.
Oversights during the patent search process can lead to a much longer overall prosecution timeline and increased risk of litigation in the future. Ultimately, saving a bit of money by trying to manage patent searches without professional support could drastically increase the overall cost associated with successfully prosecuting a patent.
Business leaders developing new products and eager to protect their ideas may benefit from outsourcing the entire patent prosecution process. The team at Saile Ackerman LLC can support businesses of all sizes throughout every stage of pursuing a patent. Reaching out to our team can lead to a prompt patent search and increased chances of success when prosecuting a patent.
