British patents
Initial application
To obtain a British national patent, an application
needs to be filed at the Patent Office.
The application must identify the applicant and include
a detailed description, usually with reference to drawings, of at least
one way of putting the invention into effect.
Within prescribed time limits, it is also necessary to
file one or more claims defining the protection which is sought, a summary
of the invention, a statement regarding inventorship, and a request for
preliminary examination and search, on which a search fee must be paid.
The application may
be virtually useless unless, at the time of initial filing, it includes
the claims or some equivalent broad statements of what the invention is.
If an early indication of the likelihood of success in
obtaining a patent is required, the claims should be filed and the search
should be requested at the outset.
