\u201cPatent\u201d is quite a familiar term, if you are in an entrepreneurial mindset.<\/p>\n
In legal terms, the term patent refers to a \u201clegal document granted by the government to an inventor or assignee, which gives the holder exclusive rights to prevent others from making, using or selling the invention for a specific period of time, usually twenty years from the date of filing the patent application\u201d<\/p>\n
In layman\u2019s term patent is a legal safeguard for your unique idea or product that makes it illegal to replicate it.<\/p>\n
This means whether it is an individual or company, they can\u2019t copy the solution if you had patented an app idea. In addition to copying, they can\u2019t claim it as their own either.<\/p>\n
You get the gist of it. The concept of a patent is simple enough. As such, there are different types of patents. Let\u2019s see what these are.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Types of Patents<\/span><\/h2>\n![\"Types](\"https:\/\/www.nimbleappgenie.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Types-of-patent.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
So, there are a few different types of patents that you must know about before you actually decide to patent an app idea.<\/p>\n
These are, as mentioned below:<\/p>\n
<\/span>Utility Patents<\/span><\/h3>\nThese patents are granted to inventors who create new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions of matter. Utility patents are the most common type of patent.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Design Patents<\/span><\/h3>\nThese patents are granted to inventors who create new, original, and ornamental designs for an article of manufacture. The design must be non-functional and purely aesthetic.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Patent Application Types<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nType of Patent Application<\/strong><\/td>\nDescription<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nProvisional Application<\/td>\n A placeholder that allows an inventor to establish a priority date for their invention without filing a complete application. Useful if the inventor is still working on the invention and needs more time to perfect it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nNon-Provisional Application<\/td>\n The most common type of patent application. A complete application that includes a detailed description of the invention, claims, and any necessary drawings.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nContinuation Application<\/td>\n Filed by an inventor who wants to continue pursuing a patent for an invention that was disclosed in a previously filed application. The continuation application allows the inventor to make changes to the original application and to continue the examination process.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nDivisional Application<\/td>\n Filed when a patent examiner determines that the original application contains more than one invention. The inventor can then file a divisional application to pursue a patent for the other invention.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nContinuation-in-Part Application<\/td>\n Filed by an inventor who wants to add new information or claims to an existing patent application. The continuation-in-part application allows the inventor to build on the original application and to continue pursuing a patent for the invention.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/span>Can You Patent An App Idea?<\/span><\/h2>\nOne of the first questions people ask when you speak of patenting an app idea is, \u201cCan you actually patent an app idea?\u201d<\/p>\n
Well, the answer to this question is not that simple. The short answer is No & Yes!<\/p>\n
You can\u2019t actually patent an app idea alone. The reason is that patent law requires that an invention be a novel and non-obvious solution to a specific problem. An app idea, by itself, is too abstract and general to meet these requirements.<\/p>\n
If that were possible, there would only exist a few apps<\/p>\n
However, there\u2019s a way around it. If your app idea covers a unique process or solves a super specific problem, then it\u2019s possible. In easy words, if your app will use a new algorithm or technology that has never been seen before, you can patent the app idea.<\/p>\n
Speaking of which, there\u2019s an actual eligibility criteria.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Mobile App Idea Eligibility For Patenting<\/span><\/h3>\n\n- Is your idea novel and non-obvious?<\/li>\n
- Does your idea have a specific and useful application?<\/li>\n
- Is your idea adequately described and enabled?<\/li>\n
- Does your idea fall under one of the patentable categories?<\/li>\n
- Have you conducted a thorough search for prior app ideas?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you can answer all of these questions is \u201cYES\u201d, you can patent the app idea.<\/p>\n
Moving on, now that you know whether or not you can patent an app idea, let\u2019s see whether you should patent an app idea in the next section of the blog.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Should You Patent An App Idea?<\/span><\/h2>\nPeople always have second thoughts, asking if I should really do it. Well, this case is no different. There are a lot of people who ask, Should you patent an app idea?<\/p>\n
Well, the answer is yes and no, depending on a lot of things, as we will discuss later down the line. But before that, let\u2019s see what the advantages that come with it are.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Patent An App Idea To Gain Competitive Advantage<\/span><\/h3>\nIf you have something that others don\u2019t, you naturally have a competitive advantage. The role of the patent here is to protect this advantage.<\/p>\n
The reason is that if your app is something that people love and can earn money from, others would want to copy it. And with the help of an app idea patent, you can protect your idea, thus protecting your competitive advantage.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Better Digital Asset Protection<\/span><\/h3>\nWell, well, unique ideas, algorithms, new processes, and so on are valuable digital assets, won\u2019t you agree?<\/p>\n
Now, if you have something so great value in a world where you have thousands of prying eyes, you want to protect it. And just like we discussed in the previous point, this is something that patenting an app idea can help you with.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Increased Business Value<\/span><\/h3>\nPatenting an app idea can actually help you increase the value of your business. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n
Ask this question, \u201cWhat\u2019s valuable?\u201d and the answer is something that\u2019s rare. So, how do you create this rarity in the business world? By coming up with something unique and not allowing anyone else to copy it.<\/p>\n
So, let’s assume your business has developed a unique technology that has the potential to become a huge success in the market. And you are the only one who wants to sell it and profit from it. This is when patience comes in.<\/p>\n
![\"Increased](\"https:\/\/www.nimbleappgenie.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Infographic.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Now that that is understood, let’s move to the next section, where we shall be discussing how you can patent an app idea.<\/p>\n
<\/span>How To Patent An App Idea?<\/span><\/h2>\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.nimbleappgenie.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/How-to-patent-an-app-idea.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
So, how do you patent an app idea? Well, it isn’t all that complex.<\/p>\n
The process is actually quite simple if you know what you are doing. And to make sure you do, here\u2019s the entire process described.<\/p>\n
<\/span>1. Prepare The App Idea<\/span><\/h3>\nLet’s start with the first step, which is \u201chow to patent an app idea\u201d is actually preparing.<\/p>\n
Well, as it turns out, an idea that\u2019s just in your mind is actually considered something that you can patent. Rather, you need to create solid proof.<\/p>\n
For here, you can take one of the following paths:<\/p>\n
\n- Create detailed documentation for the mobile app development<\/a> process<\/li>\n
- Develop MVP App<\/a><\/li>\n
- Build A Prototype<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
And once you have it out of the way, we can actually start the process to patient an idea for an app.<\/p>\n
<\/span>2. Conduct a Patent Search<\/span><\/h3>\nIn the second step, and before we file for a patent application, a patent search must be conducted. This is to ensure that your idea is unique and hasn’t already been patented.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nThese patents are granted to inventors who create new and useful processes, machines, articles of manufacture, or compositions of matter. Utility patents are the most common type of patent.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Design Patents<\/span><\/h3>\nThese patents are granted to inventors who create new, original, and ornamental designs for an article of manufacture. The design must be non-functional and purely aesthetic.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Patent Application Types<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nType of Patent Application<\/strong><\/td>\nDescription<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nProvisional Application<\/td>\n A placeholder that allows an inventor to establish a priority date for their invention without filing a complete application. Useful if the inventor is still working on the invention and needs more time to perfect it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nNon-Provisional Application<\/td>\n The most common type of patent application. A complete application that includes a detailed description of the invention, claims, and any necessary drawings.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nContinuation Application<\/td>\n Filed by an inventor who wants to continue pursuing a patent for an invention that was disclosed in a previously filed application. The continuation application allows the inventor to make changes to the original application and to continue the examination process.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nDivisional Application<\/td>\n Filed when a patent examiner determines that the original application contains more than one invention. The inventor can then file a divisional application to pursue a patent for the other invention.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \nContinuation-in-Part Application<\/td>\n Filed by an inventor who wants to add new information or claims to an existing patent application. The continuation-in-part application allows the inventor to build on the original application and to continue pursuing a patent for the invention.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/span>Can You Patent An App Idea?<\/span><\/h2>\nOne of the first questions people ask when you speak of patenting an app idea is, \u201cCan you actually patent an app idea?\u201d<\/p>\n
Well, the answer to this question is not that simple. The short answer is No & Yes!<\/p>\n
You can\u2019t actually patent an app idea alone. The reason is that patent law requires that an invention be a novel and non-obvious solution to a specific problem. An app idea, by itself, is too abstract and general to meet these requirements.<\/p>\n
If that were possible, there would only exist a few apps<\/p>\n
However, there\u2019s a way around it. If your app idea covers a unique process or solves a super specific problem, then it\u2019s possible. In easy words, if your app will use a new algorithm or technology that has never been seen before, you can patent the app idea.<\/p>\n
Speaking of which, there\u2019s an actual eligibility criteria.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Mobile App Idea Eligibility For Patenting<\/span><\/h3>\n\n- Is your idea novel and non-obvious?<\/li>\n
- Does your idea have a specific and useful application?<\/li>\n
- Is your idea adequately described and enabled?<\/li>\n
- Does your idea fall under one of the patentable categories?<\/li>\n
- Have you conducted a thorough search for prior app ideas?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
If you can answer all of these questions is \u201cYES\u201d, you can patent the app idea.<\/p>\n
Moving on, now that you know whether or not you can patent an app idea, let\u2019s see whether you should patent an app idea in the next section of the blog.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Should You Patent An App Idea?<\/span><\/h2>\nPeople always have second thoughts, asking if I should really do it. Well, this case is no different. There are a lot of people who ask, Should you patent an app idea?<\/p>\n
Well, the answer is yes and no, depending on a lot of things, as we will discuss later down the line. But before that, let\u2019s see what the advantages that come with it are.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Patent An App Idea To Gain Competitive Advantage<\/span><\/h3>\nIf you have something that others don\u2019t, you naturally have a competitive advantage. The role of the patent here is to protect this advantage.<\/p>\n
The reason is that if your app is something that people love and can earn money from, others would want to copy it. And with the help of an app idea patent, you can protect your idea, thus protecting your competitive advantage.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Better Digital Asset Protection<\/span><\/h3>\nWell, well, unique ideas, algorithms, new processes, and so on are valuable digital assets, won\u2019t you agree?<\/p>\n
Now, if you have something so great value in a world where you have thousands of prying eyes, you want to protect it. And just like we discussed in the previous point, this is something that patenting an app idea can help you with.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Increased Business Value<\/span><\/h3>\nPatenting an app idea can actually help you increase the value of your business. Here\u2019s how:<\/p>\n
Ask this question, \u201cWhat\u2019s valuable?\u201d and the answer is something that\u2019s rare. So, how do you create this rarity in the business world? By coming up with something unique and not allowing anyone else to copy it.<\/p>\n
So, let’s assume your business has developed a unique technology that has the potential to become a huge success in the market. And you are the only one who wants to sell it and profit from it. This is when patience comes in.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Now that that is understood, let’s move to the next section, where we shall be discussing how you can patent an app idea.<\/p>\n
<\/span>How To Patent An App Idea?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
So, how do you patent an app idea? Well, it isn’t all that complex.<\/p>\n
The process is actually quite simple if you know what you are doing. And to make sure you do, here\u2019s the entire process described.<\/p>\n
<\/span>1. Prepare The App Idea<\/span><\/h3>\nLet’s start with the first step, which is \u201chow to patent an app idea\u201d is actually preparing.<\/p>\n
Well, as it turns out, an idea that\u2019s just in your mind is actually considered something that you can patent. Rather, you need to create solid proof.<\/p>\n
For here, you can take one of the following paths:<\/p>\n
\n- Create detailed documentation for the mobile app development<\/a> process<\/li>\n
- Develop MVP App<\/a><\/li>\n
- Build A Prototype<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
And once you have it out of the way, we can actually start the process to patient an idea for an app.<\/p>\n
<\/span>2. Conduct a Patent Search<\/span><\/h3>\nIn the second step, and before we file for a patent application, a patent search must be conducted. This is to ensure that your idea is unique and hasn’t already been patented.<\/p>\n
Type of Patent Application<\/strong><\/td>\n| Description<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Provisional Application<\/td>\n | A placeholder that allows an inventor to establish a priority date for their invention without filing a complete application. Useful if the inventor is still working on the invention and needs more time to perfect it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Non-Provisional Application<\/td>\n | The most common type of patent application. A complete application that includes a detailed description of the invention, claims, and any necessary drawings.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Continuation Application<\/td>\n | Filed by an inventor who wants to continue pursuing a patent for an invention that was disclosed in a previously filed application. The continuation application allows the inventor to make changes to the original application and to continue the examination process.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Divisional Application<\/td>\n | Filed when a patent examiner determines that the original application contains more than one invention. The inventor can then file a divisional application to pursue a patent for the other invention.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n | Continuation-in-Part Application<\/td>\n | Filed by an inventor who wants to add new information or claims to an existing patent application. The continuation-in-part application allows the inventor to build on the original application and to continue pursuing a patent for the invention.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n | <\/span>Can You Patent An App Idea?<\/span><\/h2>\n
|
![\"Some](\"https:\/\/www.nimbleappgenie.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Some-Downsides-Of-Patenting-An-App-Idea.jpg\")
<\/p>\n