Jeffrey Coles
Partner
Leader, Intellectual Property Group (Calgary), Technology Lawyer, Patent Agent and Trademark Agent
Vidéos
Publié19 avril 2021
Patent 101: A guide to the patent protection process for Canadian SMEs
5
minutes de lecture
My name is Jeff Coles and I am a partner in Gowling WLG's Calgary office. I'm a technology lawyer and a registered Canadian and United States Patent Agent.
Today, I'd like to discuss the patent protection process. A common misconception is that patents are only for large companies. However, patenting can be critical for SME's, even at an early stage. For example, patenting can assist in securing financing and provide an early competitive advantage in the marketplace. Both obviously valuable factors in long-term commercial success.
The patent protection process can help your business secure and commercialize its inventions, but you need to understand the process to develop a strategy that's right for you.
On this, I will discuss three topics of principle importance: business objectives, preparation of the application, and timeline to a patent.
1. Business Objectives: The key to a valuable patent begins with knowing your business objectives. Before starting the patent protection process, it's critical to consider your commercial goals for the technology, today and in years to come. How you intend to leverage the technology can be very important in determining the focus and scope of the patent. For early conversations with your patent professional, you should assemble documentation of key relevance to your invention – such as drawings, sketches and written descriptions. All documentation should be provided to your patent professional and discussed in the context of your business strategy. This will help you and your patent professional define the key aspects of your invention to protect your business objectives.
2. Preparation of the Application: Drafting a patent application is a highly technically process that is reviewed and revised by the inventor and patent professional until both parties are satisfied that the invention has been adequately disclosed and claimed. The goal is to draft an application that is broad enough to maximize protection and prevent market entrance by competitors, while specific enough to provide strong and valuable coverage over your own technology. Although an optional step, a patentability search can reveal important information that can be harnessed when drafting the patent application. This investigation can assist in determining whether your technology is novel and non-obvious, and therefore merits patent protection, and can also highlight opportunities to distinguish your technology from that which already exists.
3. As you can see, the patenting process is closely tied to your business objectives, and the prudent course is to be thinking about patenting at an early stage and to work closely with your patent professional to determine the patent strategy that is best for your business.
Our Intellectual Property Group has prepared a Patent Toolkit to help Canadian SMEs understand why, when and how to protect their inventions. To learn more about the complete patent process, frequently asked questions and more, visit gowlingwlg.com to download the Patent Toolkit today.
Patent protection – a form of intellectual property protection – is a legal tool that your business can use to secure and commercialize its inventions. Patent rights prevent competitors from copying your products and services, which, in turn, gives you a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Patents also allow you to generate revenue through their sale and license, as well as increase your valuation in expectation of financing or acquisition.
In this video, Jeff Coles discusses the patent protection process as part of our Patent 101 video series.
At Gowling WLG, our intellectual property practitioners have prepared a Patent Toolkit to help Canadian innovators understand why, when and how to protect their inventions. Download the free Gowling WLG patent toolkit now.
Would you like to discuss these or other issues related to protecting and maximizing your intangible assets? We're all about being connected. Get in touch with your trusted Gowling WLG IP adviser here.
CECI NE CONSTITUE PAS UN AVIS JURIDIQUE. L'information qui est présentée dans le site Web sous quelque forme que ce soit est fournie à titre informatif uniquement. Elle ne constitue pas un avis juridique et ne devrait pas être interprétée comme tel. Aucun utilisateur ne devrait prendre ou négliger de prendre des décisions en se fiant uniquement à ces renseignements, ni ignorer les conseils juridiques d'un professionnel ou tarder à consulter un professionnel sur la base de ce qu'il a lu dans ce site Web. Les professionnels de Gowling WLG seront heureux de discuter avec l'utilisateur des différentes options possibles concernant certaines questions juridiques précises.
