Patent Legal Center

Rocket Lawyer's Patent Legal Center has the tools you need to patent and protect your invention.
File a Patent
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The Provisional Patent Application is the first place to start. It's the do it yourself way to get "patent pending" status.
Other Patent Documents
Need a patent lawyer?

Get help with a patent application process or other legal matters around your invention.
Does your invention already exist?

Search for a patent first
before you apply to make
sure a similar invention
doesn't already exist.
Useful Patent Articles

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Learning how to do a patent search is the first step to patent an invention. You will need to find out if your invention will hold up to the patent requirements of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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How To Do a Trademark Search

When you start planning a new brand, product, or company, it's essential to make sure you have a unique name, or mark, so you can effectively market your product.
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Patent Lawyers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a patent?
A patent on an invention, design or code gives the patent holder exclusive rights to an invention for a limited time.

Why would I need a Provisional Patent Application?
A Provisional Patent Application generally costs less and is easier to complete than a Non-Provisional Application, and may allow you to receive an earlier filing date on the resulting patent.

Does the term "patent pending" protect my invention from infringement?
It's important to note that the term "patent pending" offers the inventor no real legal protection. The actual protection a patent offers is not effective until the patent is granted.