Documentation Make sure you have sufficient documentation to support invention. IRF to Ouside Counsel IRF sent to outsidecounsel for prior art search and patentability opinion. Inventor Interview Inventor interviewed by Intellectual Property Administration. Opinion of Ouside Counsel Shared. Decides whether or not to seek patent protection.
Process ends here if opinion negative.
If positive, process continues. Patent Approval Process Process begins. Can last 18 mos. A copyright is a grant by the United States of exclusive rights over the writings of an author, and includes software. A trademark differs from both patents and copyrights.