The official patent
An official patent provides a monopoly on the exploitation of a new product or technology for a period of 20 years. In general, the entire process of obtaining an official patent can take between 18 and 24 months.
Provisional patent: If the development of your invention is not yet complete, it is advisable to file a provisional patent before applying for an official patent. Filed with the UK Patent Office (UKPTO), the provisional patent grants its holder a priority date valid for 12 months and recognized in nearly 150 countries. This inexpensive temporary protection allows you to disclose your invention with complete peace of mind, whether for further development, market research or to interest potential partners or investors. Most independent inventors use provisional patents as a preliminary step to obtaining official patents.
