London, Leeds & Exeter
Mon 29th Nov 2021
Infographic: International patent filing timeline for software or AI
Services: Applying for a patent overseas, Obtaining a patent, Opposing and defending a patent at the EPO, Patent application drafting and filing, Patent renewal service, Patent searching and watching
Sectors: AI and data science, Software patents
If you have a software or AI solution to a technical problem where there is currently no off-the-shelf solution, you will need protect your intellectual property with a patent before launching it in the public domain.
Recent research shows that the tech giants are registering numerous patents in the field of AI.
Choosing where to file your patent application first is a key strategic decision, when software and AI is accessible globally.
The UK IPO is a popular choice for many software and AI developers because:
- no fees have to be paid to the patent office on filing;
- the process is straightforward, and can be done under time pressure; and
- the UK provides a great launch-point for a global IP protection strategy.
If you are considering filing first in the UK for a software or AI patent, then this infographic outlines the key stages of the process and the timeline – taking you from initial consultation, through the UK filing and then on into securing protection in other jurisdictions.
Software developers and AI engineers often think that it may not be possible to secure patent protection and think they can rely on copyright or trade secrets, but these fail to protect the underlying idea.
We are always happy to have an initial conversation with an inventor or developer to help them to assess whether they may have a patentable idea.
Free initial consultation for developers
We offer a free initial consultation, so you have nothing to lose.
Click here to request a consultation.
During the consultation, we can discuss your objectives and the approach that we would take to protecting the intellectual property in your business.
We can provide an initial view of the likelihood that these could be protectable, both in the UK and abroad. We can also provide an outline of the costs and procedures required to obtain protection, and we will suggest the next steps that need to be taken.
This briefing is for general information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice relating to your particular circumstances. We can discuss specific issues and facts on an individual basis. Please note that the law may have changed since the day this was first published in December 2021.
