Patent Filing Essentials

Before spending tens of thousands of dollars on patent prosecution, every technical founder and their investors should answer a fundamental question: Is this innovation actually patentable? The answer isn't always intuitive. Many genuinely innovative technologies in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and semiconductor design fail to meet patentability requirements, while less flashy innovations secure remarkably broad protection.

Here's an uncomfortable truth that patent practitioners won't tell you: most invention disclosures never make it to filed applications. Not because the technology lacks merit, but because the documentation fails to provide what patent counsel actually needs to build a defensible patent application.

Ankar’s drafting module is just one part of an ambitious full-stack solution for the entire IP lifecycle. The team has a strong sense of what IP professionals need, continuing to develop modules for tasks from office action responses to infringement detection and FTO assessments. Ankar distinguishes itself as an ambitious entrant to the AI-powered drafting space: it demonstrates genuine innovation in key areas, but also reveals challenges common to sophisticated legal technol

Having a comprehensive checklist for preparing and filing a U.S. non-provisional utility patent is a great way to standardize your patent filing practice. In patent prosecution, where missed deadlines can result in irreversible loss of rights, well-designed checklists serve as systematic safeguards against human error. These basic tools can result in fewer missed filing deadlines, reduced likelihood of incomplete applications, and decreased risk of malpractice claims.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) requires inventors to identify any prior art they are aware of at the time of filing. This may seem like doing the examiner’s job for them. However, strategic use of the information disclosure statement (IDS) can enhance the value of your IP assets. With the USPTO's recent fee changes taking effect on January 19, 2025, now is a great time to review these obligations and procedures.

There is a well-known backlog of patent applications at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Applicants wait an average of 18-24 months to receive the first correspondence from their patent examiner. Fortunately, the USPTO provides options to prioritize your application that can cut this time in half.   Expedited examination options and their requirements Track One Prioritized Examination Track one is a program designed to reach a final disposition (allowanc

The grant date and the expiration date of a patent are often seen as most important when considering patent rights. While these dates are significant, applicants must understand the USPTO's internal deadlines to successfully navigate from filing the patent application to approval. Timing is a critical component of every patent strategy, and missing a deadline could mean the loss of patent rights. Below are some key dates and timelines at the USPTO.   Patent Filing Dates When

If you’ve filed a patent and want to protect a newer version of the invention, a child patent may be the tool for you.

Intellectual property law is the legal framework supporting innovation, and IP professionals must understand the pace and direction of innovation to remain relevant. IP attorneys and businesses can benefit from identifying current trends and the key players driving progress. The "LexisNexis 2025 Innovation Momentum Report" and the "Top 100 Global Innovators 2025" from Clarivate offer valuable insight into the driving forces of innovation. To better understand these driving fo

The PCT gives innovators tools to protect their intellectual property around the world.

So, you’ve come up with an idea and want to protect it. A patent is a document that grants you the right to exclude others from making,...

Filing a patent application is something you want to make sure you get right. Missteps in the application and drafting phase may remain hidden until you get a rejection from the patent examiner one-to-two years later. Some issues are easily fixable, while others, like not claiming the salable features of your invention, are not. Mistakes happen, but many can be avoided by knowing the patent office’s requirements and having a plan to address them. To get a patent, the USPTO re