Patents
Protect your inventions with patents
Lavoix provides you with teams whose expertise spans many technical fields.
We file more than 4000 patent applications per year worldwide.
A patent will protect an invention and prevent competitors from using it.
Patent services include all the issues encountered by clients:
FAQ
A patent is an exclusive right granted to protect technical inventions (whether a product or process). It is awarded to either a legal entity or an individual.
By filing a patent, the patent holder prevents any third-party exploitation of the invention. This means the invention cannot be manufactured, used, distributed, imported, or sold without the patent holder’s consent.
In Europe, the European Patent Convention (EPC) and the various national Intellectual Property Codes outline the requirements for patentability.
There are three main requirements for an invention to be patentable:
- It must be “susceptible of industrial application”;
- It must be “new”; and
- It must involve an “inventive step”.
If these criteria are not met, no patent will be granted.
Not all inventions are patentable. There are several exceptions, as outlined, for example, in Article 53 of the European Patent Convention.
1. Check if your invention is patentable.
A prior art search can help determine if your invention is already known or obvious.
Absolute requirement: Keep your invention confidential until you file a patent application to avoid the risk of self-anticipation.
2. Draft the patent application (abstract, description, claims, drawings).
At this stage, it is highly recommended to consult a Patent Attorney. If the application is not properly drafted, the patent offices may raise objections or even reject the application.
3. File your patent application with the relevant patent office (e.g., EPO, WIPO).
Choose the patent office based on the geographic regions in which you seek protection.
Lavoix provides comprehensive support throughout the entire process: prior art searches, drafting, filing, examination by patent offices, and throughout the entire life of your patent. For any inquiries, feel free to contact us.
Patent protection generally lasts up to 20 years from the filing date of the application. This protection applies only in the territories where the patent has been granted.
The protection is subject to the payment of renewal fees, and in certain cases, it may be extended.
