Patenting an App Idea: What You Need to Know
Do you have a brilliant concept for a mobile app but are concerned that it will be stolen and used before you know about it? There is no reason to be concerned if this is the case.
You can protect your mobile app ideas by patenting, copyrighting, or trademarking it. In this manner, you may avoid having your app concept stolen. Additionally, you must guarantee that your apps idea is distinct and fresh; otherwise, your attempts will be in vain if they are similar to another android app.
Today, we’ll walk you through the entire process of patenting an app concept.
What Does Patenting An Apps Idea Mean?
A patent is a type of intellectual property that safeguards your software concepts from unauthorized or illegal use. Additionally, because it recognizes you as the genuine owner of your app ideas, it prohibits other people and corporations from selling or modifying it. Also, patenting your mobile app assures that no one threatens your app ideas or earnings by falsely taking the credit for your complete app concept.
What Types Of Patent Applications Are There?
Provisional App
The Provisional Application gives you a year to complete and refine the MVP. The application is less expensive to design and execute than a non-provisional patent. A provisional application can be submitted without filing an official patent claim, disclaimer, or information disclosure statement.
Non-Provisional App
A non-provisional application must include a detailed copy of the discovery and at least one declaration that legally outlines the invention’s metes and limits. It can be submitted without invoking any primary focus of application made prescribed or without any referral to the app.
Where Can You Find Out If Your App Idea Is Patented?
You should verify whether anyone else has already patented your initial concept. This data will be maintained in an operational database in your nation or state. You can explore the International Patent Classification (IPC) and the Catchword Index of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
When To File For A Patent?
An application conception patent is granted to the person who registered the first patent application against it, never to the man who designed it. As a result, innovators and enterprises prefer to file a provisional application before disclosing sensitive material to the public.
Several patent attorneys may urge you to protect any apps idea before discussing it or releasing it to potential investors.
A list of documents needed for patenting an apps idea
A large amount of documentation is necessary to patent a mobile apps idea. The following are the significant documents that will contribute to the patenting phase:
Oath/Declaration
Entity Status Form
Application Data Sheet (ADS)
Specification
Information Disclosure Statement
Drawings
Claims
Fee Sheet
Cover Sheet
(Optional) Patent Cooperation Treaty (for International Filings)
Steps To Patent An Apps Idea
Now, we’ll look at the actions to patent a mobile apps idea:
Research and cross verify
Approach a patent attorney
Declare the disclosure
Apply for the provisional & non-provisional patent
Submit the patent application with USPTO
What does it cost to patent a mobile app?
The type of patent determines the cost of patenting a mobile app. Provisional patents range in price from $2000 to $5000. You can tweak your mobile app after using a provisional patent to see how effective it is in the market. It is valid for one year after it is granted. Non-provisional patents, on the other hand, cost between $10000 to $15000.
Wrapping Up
So, after reading the tutorial for patenting a mobile apps idea, you should have a good understanding of everything involved.
Yet, if you have any questions or concerns, you may contact a mobile Android App Development business to assist you with any relevant matters.