When you come up with an invention which you are very proud of, one thing you might fear is other stealing it and hence, losing your competitive advantage. Your invention can be a product or a process in any field of technology and may include any new and useful improvement. In this regard, it’s quite important to know that there is a way to protect your innovation and that’s by getting a patent which is a ‘set of exclusive rights granted to you by the government for the time of 20 years in exchange for detailed public disclosure of your invention’. Getting a patent will get you the right to prevent third parties from making, using or selling the invention without your consent. This way you can ward off your competitors from stealing or exploiting your invention.
☑Have you invented something brilliant and unique?
☑Are you afraid that your invention will get stolen?
☑ Are you looking for someone to help you secure them?
☑ But you’re tired of running around government offices?
☑ And you’re confused about where to start and how to file applications for patents?
If you check all the above boxes, then firstly, Congratulations for being a founder of an inventive and unique product/idea. Secondly, Don’t Worry because you’re at the right place to get all your knots untangled and have your problems solved.
This article will set out step by step guide to help you with the process of filing a patent according to the legal requirements of Patent Office of Pakistan which is a part of Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan which deals with protecting and promoting your innovation and creativity through its integrated and efficient intellectual property management system. One thing to make sure is that you do not disclose your invention to the public in any oral or written form before filing the application.
Step 1: Write a Patent specification
The first step in filing Patent application is to prepare a patent specification in which you need to set out in a clear and detailed manner, the terms by which you and others will be bound. Your patent specification, whether provisional or complete, shall begin with a title, and be signed and dated at the end by the inventor [you] or your Patent agent.
For any official document, especially the ones that involve legality, format and content is crucial. The type of language you use, the titles and definitions explained, and the details listed, all have to be carefully worded and properly presented.
The following format guidelines may seem very basic but they are very crucial to your application process.
Your patent specification must include the following information content:
To establish a filing date for your in-process invention, one fast and inexpensive way is to file a provisional specification first and then submit your complete specification within 12 months of submitting the provisional specification. Provisional specification is not examined in the Patent Office so you may skip claims and drawing and add them later in your complete specification.
Step 2: Filling the form
You must fill the following forms for filing your patent application.
The Forms must also accompany 1 original and 1 copy of Demand draft or Pay order, 1 copy of Priority document (for convention application) and 2 copies of drawing (if any).
[[1] Convention application means an application made in Pakistan within twelve months after the date of an application made in a Convention country.]
Step 3: Pay the filling fees
The following filing fees must be paid in the form of pay order or demand draft from scheduled bank in favour of Director General, IPO Pakistan. This fee is non-refundable.
The following charges are applicable:
Step 4: Send the application
You must mail or hand deliver your Patent application on any of the following addresses:
For facilitation, you can now file your patent application in IPO-HQs, Islamabad and Regional Office, Lahore but further correspondence will be carried out by the Patent Office, Karachi.
After receiving your application, it would be examined by Patent examiner who will study the application for its compliance with the requirements of patent statute and will search through National and International Databases to see if your invention is new and useful. If there is any objection or deficiency related to your invention or your application, the patent examiner will send you an Examination Report informing you of it. You then have the opportunity to respond and to remedy deficiencies. When all the requirements are met, the patent application is accepted and is advertised in the Patent e-Journal/ official Gazette Part V. At the end of all this, patent is granted which is followed by sealing the patent.
Information presented in this article has been taken from official sources and is being presented to the readers on as-is basis. Startup.pk cannot be held responsible if some facts and figures change at a later point in time.
[…] You can also check out our guide on how to file a patent in Pakistan […]