Can I patent my product? IP Readiness Audit by Perpetual

For Early Projects to Large Enterprises

Have you asked yourself ‘how do I patent my product’? Research and development can be time consuming and expensive. Make sure you are taking all the right steps to protect and secure your intellectual property as it develops so that you can patent your product or invention.

What We Do

We analyze your current practices and help implement best practices around how you approach, document and disclosure your intellectual property. We provide you with an understanding of your own industry’s patent landscape and a road map to follow so that you can be efficient and effective in patenting your work as it develops.

Custom IP education relevant to your organization
Help you determine where to patent and what budget to expect
Align R&D efforts to produce patent-able outcomes
Identify industry threats and patent opportunities
Create a patent strategy and implementation plan

Audit Costs

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I patent my product or invention?

Generally, we can protect your invention if they are novel and technical in nature. Conversely, we cannot patent your brand, logo or aesthetic design. You could start with an Internet search for novelty but we will need to consider your invention together more closely. Our free consultation {link} will briefly consider this and our IP Readiness Audit {link} will go into more detail with you about what you can or should protect.

What steps should I take now so I can patent later?

You should start by keeping your invention secret, only disclosing your invention to others under NDA. A Provisional Patent Application is a cheap, simple way to get your idea a priority date, after which you can talk to investors, potential employees and suppliers. We can help with your patent drafting {link}, even if this just means reviewing your own efforts so that you can get your business off the ground sooner.

What if I already disclosed my invention?

In Canada and the USA, we have a one-year grace period from your public disclosure to filing but this will not help you in the rest of the world. Don’t give up though! It is very common that we can patent the improvements you make in the future. [No one is using the original rotary phone, are they now?]

What kind of things can be patented?

Patents are aimed at protecting technical innovation but in some cases, we can protect business innovations. So improvements in engineering, materials, computing systems, and (Yes!) software are protectable. At Perpetual, we have helped clients protect their ideas in robotics, block chain, physics, ultrasound, biomedical devices, search engines, recommender systems, photocopiers, manufacturing, electronics, sensors, and semiconductors {link to clients}. [Sadly, we all have limits and we are not experts in chemistry or biology- YET!.] [we could create links to dozens of vancouver-made patents]

How are you / Perpetual different from other law firms OR what makes Perpetual Different?

Well, first off we are not a law firm. We prefer to act as patent consultants vested in your company or as an extension to your R&D arm. Our success is measured in client growth, not billable hours. We will often suggest not filing a patent if it would not add real value to your company.

This is not to be construed as legal advice. We will need to discuss your individual situation to be in a position to advise you properly.

IP Strategic Plans