This will give you an idea of the general sequence of events which comprises a patent application and should help you get an idea of what to expect and when. Remember that every patent application is unique and that this is only a rough guide. We recommend taking advantage of one of Cad Crowd's expert patent attorneys to help make sure you meet your application's specific guidelines.Get an estimateto connect with a patent professional
This timeline shows the progression of an application that begins with a Provisional Application followed by a Utility Patent Application. Most people do not need to file a provisional application, though.See this page for more information.Without a Provisional Application, your Filing Date will be the same as your Priority Date.
The dates listed below representthe latest possible filing dates. Also, be aware that you do not have to wait a year between filing a Provisional Application and a Utility Application.
Time Period |
Date |
(abbrev) |
Action |
First Sale, Public Use or Publication ("bar date") |
BD |
||
BD+1 year |
Priority Date |
PD |
File Provisional Application |
PD+1 year |
Utility Filing Date |
UFD |
File Utility Patent Application |
PD+1 year |
PCT Filing Date |
PCTF |
文件PCT应用程序(我章)或国家应用cations in any foreign countries in which you wish to file directly. |
UFD+90 to 120 days |
Receive filing receipt from PTO. (See our page "How to read a filing receipt"for more information. |
||
PCTF |
International Search |
ISRD |
PCT office sends International Search Report. |
PD+18 months | Publication Date | PubD | Both US & PCT applications are published(see note 4) |
PD+22 months (or ISRD+3 months) |
Chapter II Date | Pay Chapter II fee and file Demand form in PCT application, to get an International Examination(see note 2) | |
UFD+9 to 18 months (on average) | First Office Action | OA | 没有设置哒te - Examiner will examine US patent application and will usually reject it. See our page "How to read an office action" for more information. |
OA+3 months | Reply to Office Action | Can be extended to up to 6 months, but extensions will offset against any term extension due to PTO delays. | |
PD+20 months | PCT National Filing under Old Rules (seenote 2) |
Must file national application in those countries which have not yet changed their national rules, if no Chapter II demand was filed. | |
PD+30 months | PCT National Filing | Must file national applications in foreign countries (31 months in European Patent Office and some other countries).(seenote 2) | |
UFD+2½ years (on average) | US Patent Application is Allowed | AD | |
AD+90 days | Pay issue fee and publication fee, if any | IFD | |
IFD+90 days (on average) | US Patent Issues | ID | Patent may now be enforced against infringers. Damages may be available for infringement between PubD and ID under some circumstances. |
ID+3.5 years | First Maintenance fee due | May be paid with surcharge until ID+4 years(see note 5) | |
ID + 7.5年 | Second Maintenance fee | May be paid with surcharge until ID+8 years | |
ID+11.5 years | Third Maintenance fee | May be paid with surcharge until ID+12 years | |
UFD+20 years (see note 3) |
US Patent Expires | Invention enters public domain |
Notes:
Foreign Filings:Most countries will not allow you to get a patent if the Bar Date was before the Priority Date. For foreign patent applications, you should file a Provisional Applicationbeforeyour first public publication or sale.
Continuations, Divisionals and Continuations in Part:The expiration of a patent is based on the US filing date of the first non-provisional patent application in the sequence. So, if the fees are all paid on time, the patent term starts when issued and continues until 20 years from the earliest non-provisional filing date. For any foreign applications, it is the actual U.S filing date that determines the patent's term,not the priority date.
Are you ready to start your patent application?Get a quotefrom our network of professional U.S patent attorneys. We offer a comprehensive range of intellectual property services, fromdesign patentstoutility patents,USPTO patent search services, andtrademarks.