Question: I believe that I have invented a product which may have a commercial application. Where do I go from here?
Answer: Some people might think that this query is esoteric but you would be surprised how many inventions are made each year, often by people who came from a different walk of life to the subject matter they created. For example, in manufacturing, people regularly come up with novel ways to get the job done and many inventions are improvements on existing items or combining two or more elements in a novel way. If you have indeed created something new then you can apply for a patent to protect your invention. It is quite a specialised area of work but for a relatively modest fee a European Patent Attorney will assess whether your invention can be subject to patent protection. If this proves to be the case then a detailed specification can be drawn up and filed immediately.
There is then a period of twelve months before the patent is finally approved but during that period you will be able to start developing the product safe in the knowledge that nobody else can get in ahead of you. If you have a particular distinctive name (or slogan or shape or even smell!) for your product then you will also need to consider registering these sort of things as a trade mark. Virtually every brand that you can buy is registered as a trade mark and such rights are jealously guarded and protected.
The registration of patents and trade marks in Ireland is the responsibility of the Irish Patents Office and further information is available on their website www.patentsoffice.ie.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific legal advice should be sought on any particular matter.
