Patent Law in Port St. Lucie, FL

Have you heard of The Bug Bite Thing?

According to WPEC, a Treasure Coast resident invented this device for relief from insects like mosquitoes. Today, this innovation is on store shelves worldwide after making an appearance on Shark Tank.

Inventors from Port St. Lucie chasing the same success may need legal advice to achieve their goals. Identify the essentials below and how a local patent attorney can help you sidestep common pitfalls.

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.

The nearest Patent and Trademark Resource Center to help Port St. Lucie residents with research is in Fort Lauderdale. If you want to ask a few questions, consider contacting the USPTO headquarters.

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

Port St. Lucie, FL 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 Port St. Lucie FL

The process of applying for a patent in Port St. Lucie, Florida 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.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce identifies the primary reasons the government will approve a patent application. In particular, the invention must demonstrate that it is both new and useful. Accordingly, it should also be a novel concept to stand out from the crowd.

Thanks to their experience, patent attorneys in Port St. Lucie can help with an educated guess about your odds. They can also help you avoid wasted time or money while going through the patent life cycle. Things like:

  • Acquiring knowledge about existing patents through research
  • Preparing an application strategy
  • Filing for the patent and paying the fees
  • Participating in the examination process
  • Maintaining the right to the intellectual property

When Should I Hire a Qualified Port St. Lucie, Florida Patent Lawyer?

There are multiple reasons to hire a patent attorney. If you want the assurance of having someone acting on your behalf, then Port St. Lucie 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.

Entrepreneur Magazine asserts that the labyrinthian of rules and regulations make it difficult for novices to apply. Even with their best solo efforts, a DIY applicant can encounter unexpected problems.

It’s also critical to stress that inventors in Port St. Lucie must protect their intellectual property on their own. Patent infringement is a civil concern that mandates having a patent attorney to take action.

Work with an Experienced Local Patent Attorney in Port St. Lucie, Florida

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

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

How It All Works

Call us or answer the questions on this site. Your category, location, and additional information will help us connect you to a legal professional and we’ll send you the results instantly.

Which Areas of Law?

We have attorneys in over 20 legal categories to choose from.

How Much Does This Cost?

We don’t charge you to be connected. Some legal categories require upfront fees while others do not. The legal professional will determine this with you before you commit to anything.