Not proofreading patents may become a major blunder at the time of filing patent applications. A patent application has to adhere to the USPTO guidelines. If, in any case, the USPTO finds a patent application has errors, the USPTO won’t rectify the errors. Moreover, the USPTO may refuse to give the grant of a patent having errors. Usually, a patent application has several important documents like forms, drawings, claims, and so on. The patent registration process demands a high level of expertise in the subject matter. Missing a single claim, drawing, or specification, makes your application look unprofessional. Thus, the examiner may consider your mistake as negligence and won’t accept your application. Proofreading patents are as important as inventing new technology. Unless you patent your invention, you don’t get exclusive rights. In the coming sections, we will talk more about proofreading patents.
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Are you proofreading patents?
If the answer to this question is no, then you might be overlooking the most common mistake. Every year, the USPTO receives more than 6 million applications. According to reports, 98% of patent applications have at least one error. 50% time, the USPTO commits an error in the patent applications. However, you need to highlight those errors in the application. The USPTO won’t rectify your errors. Moreover, 2% of the time, a patent application has at least one critical error. Also, 33% of errors need the certificate of correction. Therefore, you must proofread patents before submitting your application.
What are the common mistakes in patent applications?
We know that many inventors submit patent applications to the USPTO every year. As a result, the USPTO might miss an error in your patent application. Moreover, you have to pay for each error, if you want to rectify those errors. In the worst-case scenario, not proofreading patents may cost you your patent. The following are some errors that you or the USPTO may commit.
Missing Claims
Claims are the most important part of a patent application. Moreover, a claim tells the part or feature of the invention that you want to cover. Covering your invention is important. Also, it will help you have the monopoly of your invention in the market. Therefore, you don’t want to miss a claim in your patent application.
Specification errors
The USPTO wants applicants to describe their inventions completely. If a subject matter expert reads a patent application, he must be able to use the invention practically. Therefore, it is mandatory to furnish the complete information of your invention in a patent application. Specification errors may confuse the examiner. As a result, you may lose your patent.
Drawing Errors
Reference characters define the parts of an invention mentioned in patent illustrations. In your patent application, you need to explain each reference character. Missing a reference character may become a problem for you in the later stages of the patenting process. Moreover, patent drawings make your invention easy to understand. Also, the USPTO has issued guidelines on how to use drawings in patent applications.
Grammatical and typographical errors
Don’t miss any grammatical and typographical errors in your patent application, as they may create a major problem. You need to describe your invention in the patent application. Making grammatical or typographical mistakes may change the meaning of the sentence. As a result, the examiner may reject your application.
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When to proofread your patent applications
You have to proofread your patent application not once but multiple times. Since patenting an invention is a time-consuming process, you need to proofread your application at every step. You may proofread your application on your own. However, we advise you to hire a professional who has expertise in proofreading. Moreover, you may have a subject matter expert proofread your patent application. Your patent application will have fewer errors if an expert proofreads your patent application. At these following steps, you should proofread your patents.
- Before submitting a patent application, you need to proofread it.
- After you get the grant of your invention, you must proofread the patent application.
- Proofread your application when you want to file a patent application in other territories as well.
Related Article: Why you need the Proofreading of Patent Claims?
The Patent Proofreading Company
Now, you know why proofreading patents are important. So, if you have a brilliant invention, and you want to patent it, then we can assist you. The Patent Proofreading Company (TPPC) may be all you need right now. TPPC is a subsidiary of Sagacious IP and based out of the United States. The company has years of experience in providing world-class services to clients. To date, TPPC has served clients from more than 45 countries. We, TPPC, are becoming better than the previous day every day.
Visit us today, and see what we have to offer you– The Patent Proofreading Company.