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The Best Patent Application Services

What's the Best Patent Application Service?

If you've come up with a brilliant idea and want to make sure it's legally protected, getting a patent filed is an essential step. But first, you should understand the differences between patents and other types of protection, like copyright and trademark.

Copyrights are used to claim ownership of a creative expression, like a book, song, or even a piece of computer code. Trademarks are used to protect a brand name, business name, or logo from being used by other companies. On the other hand, patents deal with innovations: a utility patent covers how an invention works, and a design patent protects how it looks.

Tuesday, May 30th

2023 Patent Application Service Reviews

Thoughts to Paper Review Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award 5 Star Rating

Thoughts to Paper

5 Star Rating Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Thoughts to Paper does one thing, and does it extremely well: patents! While you'll pay roughly the same prices as the other full-service Patent Application Services, this company gives you expert-level service across a much wider spectrum of patent-related needs. Clients have nothing but great things to say about the entire process, saying that the money is absolutely well-spent for the value received. Thoughts to Paper is affordable, reliable, and keeps a tight focus on everything related to everything you'll need to file your patent application. This service easily earns our highest recommendation.

Legal Zoom Review 4.5 Star Rating

Legal Zoom

4.5 Star Rating

LegalZoom is an extremely reliable source of legal help for practically any need, including Patent Application Services. We love that clients only have to pay for the specific help they want, instead of being required to pay for a package deal. And, unlike many of the services in our review, this provider actually files your application with the USPTO. LegalZoom is one of the best options for completing and filing a patent application.

Rocket Lawyer Review 4 Star Rating

Rocket Lawyer

4 Star Rating

Rocket Lawyer specializes in providing legal forms across the spectrum, from business needs to personal cases. You can access their Patent Application forms for free with a 7-day trial, or take all of their services for a spin with a $5 Premium trial. After your first week, you'll pay $39.99 per month for continued membership, which comes with some nice perks like lawyer consultations at no extra charge. But, you should note that this Patent Application Service doesn't take the required step of actually filing your forms with the USPTO. And, if you need extras like professional illustrations, you'll be on your own for that too.

Find Legal Forms Review 3.5 Star Rating

Find Legal Forms

3.5 Star Rating

Find Legal Forms is the most no-frills Patent Application Service in our review. Your one-time fee gives you access to all of the forms you'll need to file for your patent - but not much else. If you'd like a lawyer to review your documents or answer questions, you'll have to get that help somewhere else. On the other hand, if you don't mind doing some of the legwork yourself, like sending in your forms with the appropriate filing fees, this service could save you some cash.

Legal Match Review 3 Star Rating

Legal Match

3 Star Rating

LegalMatch has assisted in more than two million legal cases across a wide spectrum of situations, including patents and other intellectual property concerns. But, unlike most of the services in our review, this provider only allows you to post the details of your case to a profile and receive responses from attorneys interested in helping you. And, as you might imagine, you'll pay full price for that help. This is a good option only if you're certain that you want to work directly with a lawyer instead of choosing an online Patent Application Service.

The Patent Filing Company Review 1 Star Rating

The Patent Filing Company

1 Star Rating

Should you use The Patent Filing Company for your Patent Application needs? In a word, no. There are too many question marks when looking at this business: a Seattle address with a Chicago contact number, zero customer testimonials, and an unsecured website with random pages selling apparel are just a few of the ones we found. There's absolutely no reason to entrust your information or your invention to this business.

Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

So, if you've just dreamed up the latest and greatest thing that will revolutionize the world - or if you've just come up with a component that will improve one specific industry - you're on the right track if you think you need to register your patent! But, how do you go about it? Paperwork, filing, fees, and more: if you're not confident that you know all of the steps and when to take them, that's where Patent Application Services come in.

These services vary, from bare-minimum providers that give you the forms to download along with a list of instructions, to companies that have plenty of experience with walking clients through every single step of the process until the patent is officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Of course, all of these services come at a cost, in addition to the fees you'll need to pay to the USPTO (which are usually between $70 and $280, depending on your entity size). Fortunately, when you consider the time and stress it will save you to take advantage of a Patent Application Service, rather than muddling through on your own and risking costly mistakes, it's generally well worth the money you'll spend.

As you look over the different Patent Application Services on the market today, how can you tell which one is the best fit for your invention? Here are several factors to consider before making your choice:

  • Services Offered. If you're fairly confident in navigating the patent application process, you may just need a basic DIY service that gives you access to the applicable forms and not much more. On the other hand, if you would like a little hand-holding for your peace of mind, and maybe even direct access to an attorney for any questions you have, a full-service provider will be a better fit.
  • Value. Some Patent Application Services cost less than $50, while others are well over $500. But, you get what you pay for: make sure that any provider you select is giving you your money's worth. It may be a good idea to pay more upfront for a more robust plan, instead of going for the least expensive option and then winding up having to pay more to get extra help.
  • Reputation. What do previous clients say about the Patent Application Service? Is help available when needed? Have there been any complaints or complications reported?

TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked the best Patent Application Services on the market today. We hope this information guides you to the service that will get your patent registered accurately and efficiently, to protect the hard work that went into creating your latest brilliant idea!

The Best Patent Application Services Compare Patent Application Services Compare Patent Application Service Reviews What are the best Patent Application Services Best Patent Application Service Reviews

Patent Application Service FAQ

A patent gives you rights to an invention for a certain period of time. It prevents other people from "making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention...or importing it into the United States" once the patent has been publicly disclosed. A patent has to be granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office to be legal and valid.
There are two types of patents: utility and design. Utility patents can be granted for a process, machine, article of manufacture, composition of matter or any improvement of those things that is "new, nonobvious and useful" . Design patents cover how an invention looks, not how it works. You can't get a patent for a physical phenomenon, abstract idea, laws of nature, or inventions which are "offensive to public morality" .
Copyrights cover literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works. Trademarks protect words, phrases, symbols or designs that differentiate goods and services. Patents generally relate to inventions rather than anything covered by a trademark or copyright.
The USPTO charges $320 for the filing fee on a utility patent and $220 for a design patent. However, there's a long list of additional fees that may or may not apply to your application; you can find that list on the USPTO website.
Brace yourself: according to the USPTO, the average timeframe is about 25 months. There are options for expediting the process and reducing the time to 6-12 months, but you'll pay upwards of $1000 for the rush job. And, if you've made any mistakes in your application, expect it to take longer.
It can be tricky to navigate the process of applying for a patent, and every misstep can cost you time and money. Patent application services can eliminate a lot of the guesswork and help you get it right the first time.
Not necessarily. You can get expert help for less than $200, plus the standard fees required by the USPTO. If you want concierge-level assistance, you'll probably pay closer to $700 from start to finish. There are also extra services like patent searches, patent valuation, professional illustrations and more that you can consider adding to your package.
You're not going to find a provider that guarantees your patent will be accepted (after all, this is the government we're ultimately dealing with here). However, many will provide a refund within the first 30 or 60 days of using the service, though your patent process won't be even close to complete within that timeframe. The best indicator of a reliable application service isn't a satisfaction guarantee - instead, look through the provider's site to see case studies of customer patents that were granted after using the service.
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The Best Reviews of Patent Application Services