First Office Action
Patents are reviewed sequentially. At any given time, the USPTO has a backlog of several thousand applications, and just a few thousand examiners on hand to review them. As a result, it takes about two years for a patent to be processed. Your first response from the USPTO is called an "Office Action." Since you will have to respond to the action, and the USPTO will then have to respond to your response, you can safely estimate that it will take at least three years from the date of your initial application to receive your patent.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Patent in Special Cases?
It can take even longer to get your patent if you are submitting an application for a patent in a high-traffic field such as computer software. In such cases, getting your patent can take twice as long, even if you are not required to file any special documents to support your application. If you are required to file a Request for Continuing Examination or a Continuation Application, your patent may be pending for five to six years. If you must appeal a decision to the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences, you can expect to add another year and to pay additional fees — and there is no guarantee that you will win your appeal and receive your patent.
Having an attorney's expertise can make a huge difference when navigating the patent process. We can help you ask a lawyer a legal question now.
Please note: This page offers general legal information, but not legal advice tailored for your specific legal situation. Rocket Lawyer Incorporated isn't a law firm or a substitute for one. For further information on this topic, you can Ask a Legal Pro.
