Author of the article: European Patent Attorney Lasse Rosenfeld Lauridsen.
Once you’ve decided to patent something, you’ll enter a lengthy patent process that can take several years, depending on the complexity and the need for communication with the patent authorities.
What are the benefits of a patent?
A patent grants you exclusive rights to your invention for up to 20 years, allowing you to:
- Protect your idea from competitors
- Increase the value of your business
- Create new business opportunities
At Patrade, we help you assess whether your invention is patentable and how best to protect it. You can read more about patents and patent requirements here.
What is the process of obtaining a patent?
The process of obtaining a patent may seem complex, but at Patrade, we’ll guide you safely through every step – we’ve done this many times before.
- Preparation and assessment
The first step is to determine whether your invention is patentable. Not everything can be protected by a patent; your idea must be new, involve an inventive step, and be industrially applicable.
We help you carry out a patentability assessment, where we evaluate whether your invention is unique and whether similar patents already exist.
This is also where we work together to develop the strategy for your patent application – for example, whether you want to file a Danish patent application first or go straight for a European or international patent application. - Preparation of a patent application
The application itself is the heart of the process. It must describe the invention clearly and precisely so that a person skilled in the art can understand and reproduce it while also providing you with the widest possible protection.
At Patrade, we ensure that your application is drafted correctly, both technically and legally. A well-prepared application increases your chances of having the patent approved. - Submission and formal review
Once the application is ready, it is submitted to the patent authorities – in Denmark, this is the Danish Patent and Trademark Office. They verify that all formal requirements have been met and that the application contains the necessary information. - Examination of novelty and inventive step
From the filing of the application until the patent is granted, you are expected to respond to communications from the authorities, for example by arguing why you should be granted a patent, and often also by amending the application. If you do not respond within the deadline set by the authorities, you risk losing your rights permanently.
However, it is perfectly common for questions to be raised or clarifications to be requested – we’ll guide you through this entire process to ensure your application remains strong. - Approval and granting of a patent
If the application meets the requirements, a patent will be granted, and you will obtain exclusive rights to the invention in the selected region.
A patent application and any subsequent patent must be maintained through annual renewal fees to keep the protection in force. But don't worry – we've got all the administrative tasks covered. Learn more about patent administration. - After the grant of the patent
Even after your patent has been granted, you may still receive communications from the authorities that require a response. For example, there may be oppositions to the patent, which must also be handled properly and within specific deadlines.
It can all seem overwhelming when you've never done it before! So please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’ll guide you safely and securely through the entire process.
How much does a patent cost?
The cost of the patenting process depends on several factors, including whether you are applying for a national, European, or international patent.
