What protection do I get by filing a Patent Application?

Filing your Patent Application, whether provisional or non-provisional, puts your invention into "Patent Pending" status.  This provides you with priority in case someone later files a patent application that discloses your invention.  Such a disclosure could be utilized by the United States Patent & Trademark Office or any patent office in a foreign country to reject your invention if it was filed before your filing date.  Patent Pending warns others that your invention has been filed as a Patent Application and that they should not make or otherwise infringe your product or process.

For more information on intellectual property, please visit Patent, Trademark, Copyright Information.

The content of this article is not intended to be, and does not constitute, legal advice and does not create attorney-client privilege. Consult the attorney of your choice before embarking on any legal matter or any document preparation/filing.

Dr. Thomas R. (Terry) Williamson III is a Patent Attorney practicing in Atlanta, Georgia.

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