Finding an excellent idea is like discovering a gem in the water; it takes time and effort but is well worth it. When it comes to digital applications, this is more than acceptable. You must have a revolutionary app with the ability to draw in increasing numbers of clients because the industry is more cutthroat than ever.
Now, it is normal to be paranoid—and for good reason—that someone else might steal your idea by developing a competing programme. It is possible to prevent your product from being copied by getting your mobile application protected even before you formally announce it to the public and to potential investors.
What does the Mobile patent idea mean and how is it significant ?
A patent is a form of intellectual property that protects your software ideas from unauthorised or unlawful use. Additionally, by recognising you as the legitimate owner of the app idea, it prevents other people or organisations from selling it or changing it. Additionally, by patenting your mobile app, you can prevent others from making money off of your idea or from improperly taking credit for it.
A patent is a copyright legislation that,
- defends your app concepts from unauthorised and/or unconsented use.
- Prevents other businesses or people from altering or selling it, deeming you the proper owner of the app idea.
- Also, ensure that no one gains anything or suffers loss by claiming fraudulent credit for your original invention.
Why Patent An App Concept?
A smartphone app needs to be completely protected by the law, that much is obvious. Additionally, the official patent grants claimants the opportunity to receive compensation for any violation of the applicable patent app law. Here are a few justifications for why it's critical to patent app ideas.
How Can You Tell If Your Mobile App Idea Qualifies for a Patent?
Consider the important elements below when determining whether mobile app patents are eligible in general:
- A new and original mobile app concept is required
It doesn't say that your app idea is qualified for the patent if it solves a consumer problem. Your app concept must be original. Simply put, you shouldn't divulge your app idea through books, papers, or other media if it hasn't been developed in a public format.
- It Must Constitute An "Invention"
In general, patents are the best form of invention protection. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) claims that a patent functions as a problem-solving tool.
- Give Your Patent Useful Status
Finally, you must declare your patent to be beneficial. It indicates that your software should work, at the very least, theoretically. It can be difficult to obtain a patent for an app if it is not as beneficial as it should be.
Therefore, the above mentioned are some useful qualities which can lead to whether your mobile app should be given a patent or not.
Simple Steps to Take When Patenting an App Idea
The fundamental steps you should take to learn well how to patent an application idea are listed below.
Consult a patent attorney to learn more and register
You should speak with and hire a patent attorney that specialises in software patenting if you want to offer a precisely created top-notch patent and increase the chances that your patent application will be accepted. He or she needs to be skilled in this.
Share About Your New Mobile App
Even if you have an app idea, you still have work to accomplish. One of the requirements for an idea's eligibility to be patented is that you must actually implement it. Before granting a patent for your app, the court will require adequate evidence of your invention, therefore you must be sure to record every step of the app development process.
Patent-searching exercise
It is nevertheless recommended that you engage a patent expert that examines the entire planet for applications that are similar with yours or have the same procedures or capabilities, even if you performed your research correctly.
You can avoid any unexpected breach from other firms in this method. It is advisable to spend some money and make sure your patent has the best chance of being accepted.
Apply for a Patent, Provisionally or Non-Provisionally
You can submit a statement of claim for your mobile app using either a provisional or non-provisional patent application. Some benefits of this application type include:
- It enables the use of the phrase "Patent Pending" in apps.
- The MVP is expected to be created in 12 months.
- The preparation costs are lower than for non-provisional applications.
Simply submit a provisional application if the first one is what you need.
File a Patent Application
The process of patent protection for a mobile app concept ends here. After successfully completing the aforementioned processes and drafting a provisional patent, you must submit it to the USPTO. You should look into it even if it's a time-consuming process that requires tons of paperwork. You could require certain essential papers for this process, such as; Data Disclosure Statement or Specified Declaration
Application Data Sheet Drawings Entity Status Form Claims Drawings and many more.
Price Of Patenting A Mobile App
The price of patent protection for a mobile application depends on the patent type.
Provisional patents range in price from 1,59,413.10 INR to 3,98,564.25 INR.
You can improve your mobile app after using a patent application to determine its market viability. Keep in mind that a provisional patent is valid for one year following grant.
Provisional patents cost between 7,97,128.50 INR and 11,95,692.75 INR to get.
Why Patent Mobile App Ideas?
Although not for every application or app owner, patenting is necessary. Let's look at some points that are crucial to consider if you intend to protect your app idea.
Patents Typically Disrupt Primary Resources
Startups should be aware of the restrictions that patents place on their business and personal resources, including:
- Cost
On average, it costs 23,91,300.00 INR to file a patent for 3-5 years. If this is added to the cost of legal representation, it might financially wreck the startups.
- Time
The process of obtaining a patent typically takes months or even years. Aside from the actual development of the app idea, this bandwidth allocation requires a lot of time and work.
- No Protection Guarantee
The circumstances of patent infringement are unique, therefore even the most punitive agreement could not be enough to prevent you from breaking it.
Hence, there are some main reasons why all apps cannot use the patent app ideas.
Conclusion
Yes, you may patent mobile applications, to sum up Whether and indeed when you should consider copyrighting your mobile application relies on your demands. In any event, app patent rights for your property rights is tenacious as it safeguards your software for up to 20 years against copying, unauthorised use, and more.
