There is a vast difference in the number of Utility Patents VS Design Patents filed every year with the USPTO or the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Almost 90% of the patents granted by this government department are Utility Patents! 3,99,055 patents were issued in 2020 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. For those who have always had a penchant for creating unique designs, this is finally positive news to motivate and inspire you to have your latest innovation or functional design patented. You can opt for the online patent service in Dallas from the comfort of your home, prevent unnecessary loss of time and still ensure more privacy.
What are Utility VS Design Patents?
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ToggleBefore proceeding further, let’s look at the difference between a Utility Patent VS Design Patent in Dallas to ensure you are on the right track. To ensure that you understand the difference clearly, here are the descriptions of these two types of patents according to the USPTO –
Utility Patent–” Issued for the invention of a new and useful process, the machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or a new and useful improvement thereof, in generally permits its owner to exclude others from making, using, or selling the invention for a period of up to twenty years from the date of patent application filing, subject to the payment of maintenance fees. Approximately 90% of the patent documents issued by the USPTO in recent years have been utility patents, also referred to as “patents for invention.” Utility patents applications can be provisional or non-provisional patent applications; see here for the two types.
Design Patent–” Issued for a new, original, and ornamental design embodied in or applied to an article of manufacture, it permits its owner to exclude others from making, using, or selling the design. Design patents issued from applications filed on or after May 13, 2015, shall be granted for the term of fifteen years from the date of grant. Design patents issued from applications filed before May 13, 2015, shall be granted for the term of fourteen years from the date of grant. Design patents are not subject to the payment of maintenance fees.”
To know more about other patents, please visit – https://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/ido/oeip/taf/data/patdesc.html
One of the most important factors to keep in mind is that the USA patent system is a first-to-file system. The first-to-file system enforced from March 16, 2013, the first inventor to file the patent application is eligible for the granted patent. As per the USPTO, only an original inventor or agent/ attorney can apply for patent protection.
Ensuring timeliness through the online patent service in Dallas
Most patent attorneys will suggest you apply at the earliest possible date using the online patent service in Dallas. Filing your application via the USPTO’s online services or EFS-Web (Electronic Filing System) has several benefits:
• EFS-Web is safe and secure.
- It offers the same protection legally as paper-based filings.
- It may be cheaper without extra-filing USPTO fees.
- Immediately get an electronic receipt and confirmation.
- Web submissions are protected using methods like Transport Layer Security and Digital Certificates.
• EFS-Web is straightforward and dynamic.
- Submit complex and large patent applications by filling out a few web screens and attaching PDF files.
- Within a couple of minutes, you can submit a patent application and pay for your filing, plus receive an acknowledgment receipt.
- EFS-Web validates whether the PDF files are accepted before they are submitted. You can take corrective action if required.
A quick look at Utility Patents VS Design Patents
A design patent provides the legal protection rights for an innovative new design, but a utility patent offers legal protection rights for a . If we consider Utility Patents VS Design Patents, there are some critical differences in time taken for review and cost of applying for a patent. Examination for a design patent usually takes place in under a year; whereas, it could take two to three years or more for examination of a utility patent. Utility patents offer more protection than a design patent.
Apart from the many benefits of the online patent service in Dallas, Nothing beats the joy of being granted a patent for your design or invention. You can stop worrying about having your brainchild misused by people for monetary reasons because your invention lacked legal protection. Therefore, ensure you get legal protection for your innovation, design, or utility, at the earliest possible date. Check our services here.
