The patent is certainly the best known way to protect an invention. But it’s not the only one, and undoubtedly not the best in some cases. A Soleau envelope, a registered design, or simply the respect of the secrecy, can sometimes be more effective! Moreover, a patent does not provide by itself any protection: it establishes only the identity of the holder of an invention, the nature of this invention, and the date on which it was officially published. In fact, it allows to stand up for a possible competitor, and to bring a lawsuit against him in case of counterfeit… and this during a limited timespan (20 years at the most).

Is it then necessary or not to apply for a patent? At which moment should this be done, in which countries? All these questions need to be considered carefully, all the more so as the committed costs are far from being negligible.

Innovaxiom’s experience will enable you to define how to protect your invention, and if it is advisable to apply for a patent, which budget must be considered, and in particular at which moment the application should be proceeded to: it must be kept in mind that the expenses for maintaining a patent increase quickly with the years, and that the patent has only a limited lifetime: if applied for too early (well before the product is marketed), its effective protection duration will be shortened, and the related expenses are likely to become excessive. Applied for too late, you take the risk that a competitor protects the same invention before you…

In which territories has your invention to be protected ? Here also, the right choice is essential. Lastly, a patent constitutes an important element in your company’s capital, and may be exploited, sold, or transferred through a license agreement (exclusive or not).

The expertise is especially required for drafting the patent’s text, since an invention must answer precise criteria to be patentable. Moreover, the invention is not protected as a whole: the various “claims” which appear in the text are the essential point of the quality of the acquired protection.

Innovaxiom advises you on the best adapted mean for protecting of your invention. If a patent application or a Soleau envelope is choosen, Innovaxiom carries out the corresponding steps. Most of all, the expertise of Innovaxiom enables us to act in the essential part of the patent, namely the particular points which make the originality of the invention and which are to be defended: the “claims”. Innovaxiom will then help you to choose whether it is advisable to apply for a new patent or for a certificate constituting an addition to a former patent, at which moment the patent should be applied for, and in which countries (keeping in mind that a one-year deadline exists for registering a patent in another country, once it has been applied for in a first one). Innovaxiom can assess with you the objections that some inspectors may oppose to the issue of your patent, and draft the answers to these objections.

We can also help you in promoting your patent, by preparing the patent’s transfer, licensing or sale agreement. In the case of counterfeit, legal actions can be advised to you.