Patent Law in Anchorage, AK

You’re an inventor – you have the skills to successfully create the next “big thing” all by yourself. However, that doesn’t mean you have the skills to successfully apply for a patent without help. In fact, self-applicants have shockingly lower success rates and make more errors than those with legal representation. Read on to see why hiring an experienced Anchorage patent lawyer can be the difference between success and failure in securing your patent.

What Is a Patent?

Patent law covers the many aspects of securing a patent. There are many legalities to understand, from copyrighting products and advertising, to the Lanham Act. Basically, a patent is a legal protection you secure through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, (USPTO), under intellectual property laws. A patent guarantees the exclusive right to use your intellectual property. It also helps enforce that no other person can make or profit off of something for which you have a patent.

Anchorage inventors can deal with the USPTO Silicon Valley Regional Office, located in San Jose, California. For additional support, they can access the Patent and Trademark Resource Center in Fairbanks, Alaska.

What Are the Types of Patents?

There are three different types of patents inventors can apply for. Each patent has stipulations and serves a different purpose.

  • Utility Patent – This is the most common type of patent. It is for new machines, processes/functions, and chemicals.
  • Design Patent – These patents are for securing a unique and new design of a manufactured item. Design patents protect from entities trying to capitalize on an invention by replicating and producing it.
  • Plant Patent – These types of patents are specifically for the invention of new plant varieties. The process must include asexual reproduction, meaning by means other than seeds.

What Can You Patent?

In reality, not everything you create qualifies for patenting. There are only certain types of intellectual property that fall under patent protection. Other intellectual property rights cover different creations. Here is a look at the types of inventions you can patent.

  • Process – Also referred to as a method, this is a new way of doing something. 
  • Machine – This is any material thing or device that has some sort of output, whether functionality or physical object.
  • Manufacture – This is the creation of a physical object.
  • Composition of matter – This is a mixture of chemical or biological compounds to create something new.

You can apply for a patent for whichever new device, method, or compound you create by applying to the USPTO. Once they accept your patent application and approve it, you have exclusivity rights to the invention for the next 20 years. However, a design patent period lasts for 14 years.

Difference Between a Provisional and Non-Provisional Patent

Anchorage, AK inventors often file a provisional patent first, which is like a way of buying time to finalize an invention. Provisional patents last for a year, and the application process is simple. Once you file a provisional patent, you have exactly a year to convert it to a non-provisional patent. The latter is just another name for the formal and final patent.

How to Apply for a Patent in Anchorage AK

The process of applying for a patent in Anchorage, Alaska is complex and detailed. You must meet all the requirements and submit every required piece of documentation to secure your patent. You must file your application with the USPTO.

SC Alaska News recently reported that there were 28 patents granted in Anchorage in 2021, up from 25 in 2020. Patents included systems and methods for inspecting pipelines using robotic imaging. Additionally, the earliest patent application in this group of awards was filed in 2017. This means the application process took approximately four years. Furthermore, despite the increase in patents, the patent application system has become unwieldy.

An experienced Anchorage patent attorney can guide you through what is a highly competitive, and legal patent application process. For example, you must submit a detailed description, and drawings of your invention. In addition, you must show how your invention overcomes any problems in prior related inventions. You must also provide research, and an oath testifying you are the original inventor. Furthermore, you must defend your claims against a rigorous and often adversarial review process.

When Should I Hire a Qualified Anchorage, Alaska Patent Lawyer?

There are multiple reasons to hire a patent attorney. If you want the assurance of having someone acting on your behalf, then Anchorage patent law lawyers can help you. He or she can assist with every step of the filing process and ensure that you include all the required information. Additionally, they may be able to guide you when it comes to navigating consumer laws, as well as help you avoid false advertising. This can prove especially valuable if you are trying to merge, or transform your invention into a business.

According to the Harvard Institute of Politics, Alaska is one of the few states without state laws on patent trolling. Moreover, there has been no major initiative to introduce patent trolling legislation in recent years.  However, this does not mean that Anchorage patent holders are safe from the increasing threat of patent fraud assertion. If this happens to you, hiring an experienced Anchorage patent attorney is the best way to avoid making an unnecessary financial settlement.

Work with an Experienced Local Patent Attorney in Anchorage, Alaska

A patent attorney provides a great service in assisting with securing and managing your patent. You should meet with a qualified Anchorage attorney to discuss how he or she can help you. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Alaska state lines.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an attorney in your area!

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