What is the Process for Revising an Existing Patent

There may be times when you need to make revisions to an existing patent. When this happens, you will want to speak with an experienced patent attorney Phoenix to ensure you are going through the process correctly. Since it can take almost two years for a patent to be approved, there might be some changes that need to be made after you obtain the patent due to error in filing or an amendment to the invention.

What is a Patent?

A patent for an invention is defined as the grant of a property right to the inventor issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The patent usually lasts for 20 years and comes in three different types–a Utility Patent, Design Patent and Plant Patent.

Amendments to the List of Inventors

This is a very common revision to existing patents. Most patents have multiple inventors and often times names can be left off of the patent and changes need to be made. To add or omit an inventor on an existing patent, you must submit a Recordation Cover Sheet to the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Assignment Recordation Branch. Luckily, you are able to do this online and you will be informed when the patent has been changed.

Amendments to Patent Claims

When it comes to making changes to patent claims, you must only change the actual claims made within the patent that actually forms the basis of the invention. This means that you can amend the description of claims as well as amend the drawings of an existing patent. However, you are not able to add new material or new claims. Any new claims made must go through a whole new patent.

If you are thinking of applying for a patent or revising and existing patent, you should always discuss things with a trusted patent attorney Arizona before making any decisions. Legal advice is very valuable during the patent application and revising process and you want the process to go as smoothly as possible in order to save time and money.