How can I register a patent in the US?

We are developing a proprietary product and planning to register the patent in the U.S. sometime soon. What is the best way to go about this?
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Answered By: Law Office of Kirk Buhler
Patents are not registered. An inventor must file a patent application with the patent office. The patent office will then review the application. If the invention is "novel" then the patent examiner will issue a "notice of allowance". When the issue fee is paid the patent will issue. The process generally takes 18 months to four years to complete. Patent pending should take weeks to months depending upon whom is preparing the application. The US patent office web site is at: _www.uspto.gov_ (http://www.uspto.gov)

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 11/22/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Mark S. Hubert PC
I would suggest that you hire a Us patent attorney or patent agent. Incidentally you do not register a patent. You file a patent application and begin the long arduous ordeal of patent prosecution. The average time to get a patent granted is about 3 years.

Answer Applies to: Oregon
Replied: 11/21/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: DANIEL NESBITT
Contact a patent attorney to conduct a prior art search, identify the key features of the invention/development, and prepare and file a patent application(s). If you are located outside the US, a patent application can be filed in a foreign country, and then later filed within one year in the US. It sounds like you do not have much experience with patents, so contacting a good patent attorney is a key first step.

Answer Applies to: Ohio
Replied: 11/21/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Barton Barton & Plotkin
You don't "register" a patent. You need to retain patent counsel to draft a patent application (which includes conducting a prior art search), and then you file a patent application with the U.S. Patent Office (PTO). The PTO examines your application to decide whether it meets the criteria for patentability.

Answer Applies to: New York
Replied: 11/19/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

Answered By: Tran & Associates
The least expensive way is to use software such as those from PowerPatent to document your invention. The software helps you put together a draft that is in the same format as a utility patent application. You can then send it to our firm or your preferred patent attorney and s/he can edit the text. The result is a significant cost saving.

Answer Applies to: California
Replied: 11/18/2011

Disclaimer: The response above does not form an attorney-client relationship. This answer may or may not apply to you and should not be relied upon as legal advice. LawQA does not make any representation as to the expertise or qualifications of this attorney. This attorney may or may not be admitted to state bar of your state.

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