Cost-Effective Patents & Designs
We are driven to find the most appropriate way to protect your brilliant inventions.
We operate like a startup, providing tailor-made services and keeping overhead low. Our services range from a complete drafting & filing service to just reviewing inputs written by others.
Our services are dynamic to meet individual needs at various stages of growth.
We provide price quotations before drafting / amending an Application, or answering an Office Action.
Our rates are discounted for Startups & SME’s.
We use fixed fees for most formalities work to keep your costs under control.
Patents & Utility Models
Ask for Initial Meeting
This is always free. Invite us to come and see your brilliant inventions, and to learn about your ambitions.
Where convenient, we also use videochat like Zoom & Teams,
Ask RVO for Exploratory Search in Patent Databases
RVO provides a free service “Oriënterend onderzoek“.
After submitting a detailed description of your idea, they provide some background info, relevant searching codes and some examples of patents in the same fields.
This does not give an opinion on patentability.
Search Yourself for Published Patents
There are many public IP databases and free searching tools. Be very careful with confidential information, such as details of your invention. Search very generally. Search for solutions to problems that you are solving to find alternatives.
Let Us Search for Published Patents
We provide different levels of searching & analysis, from prior art searches & landscaping to Freedom-To-Operate (FTO).
Let Us Draft (Write) Your Patent Application
Before starting, we provide a quotation so that you know the costs. We use secure AI-assisted patent drafting tools to improve consistency, accuracy and completeness.
We provide an estimate of costs for 24 months, based on possible subsequent filing routes. We also include filing costs at the patent offices.
Let us Review Your Patent Application
A patent is a complex legal document where mistakes can be fatal. If you draft it yourself, we will review it and suggest improvements.
Before starting, we provide a quotation so that you know the costs.
Start with Netherlands (NL) Patent (First Filing)
NL has a registration system for patents, providing a quicker grant. Filing an NL patent is sufficient to claim a “Patent Pending”.
Patents are searched within 8-10 months, but all applications are automatically granted at publication (18m after priority). An NL patent is sufficient to claim “Patent Protected”.
Patents include the search report and an opinion on patentability. But patents can only be asserted after examination at NL Patent Office.
Start with US Patent using Track One (First Filing)
USPTO issues a final decision (grant / refusal) within approx. 12 months. The first Office Action, with search results, is within sent within 2 – 4 months.
Request on filing and pay an additional fee (approx. $4,200 for large entities, but reduced for small/micro entities).
Limited to 4 independent and 30 total claims.
Pursue Broader Protection with EU (EPO) Patent
EPO has an examination system, so patents are only granted after 3-5 years of consideration by patent office. Refusal is possible on formal & substantive grounds, so we recommend starting with an NL or US First Filing and using the search results to decide on subsequent filings.
Granted EPO patents can be validated in European states, such as France (FR), Germany (DE), Italy (IT), Spain (ES) and UK (GB). A Unitary Patent can also be specified, valid for block of more than 15x EU states.
Pursue Broader Protection with PCT Patent Application
A filing, search & publication system. No direct grant is possible, but PCT applications can be converted later to national applications in more than 150 states world-wide.
So, decisions on where to patent and translation costs are delayed for up to 30 months from priority.
Specific National Patents & Utility Models in EU States
Instead of filing EU applications at EPO, direct national applications can be filed in states such as France (FR), Germany (DE), Italy (IT), Spain (ES) and UK (GB),
These are usually granted quicker, but depends on national practices and Patent Office backlogs.
Specific National Patents & Utility Models World-Wide
Instead of filing PCT applications, direct national applications can be filed in states such as China (CN), Japan (JP), Korea (KR), and United States (US).
These are usually granted quicker, but depends on national practices and Patent Office backlogs.
Alternatives To Patents
EU Registered Design
Registered EU (Community) Designs provide protection for the appearance of a product for up to 25 years in all EU states.
Protects the “look and feel” of these products – shapes, ornamentation, colours etc. Designs are frequently used for user interfaces and icons.
EU Registered Trademark
Registered EU (Community) trade marks allow customers to identify you for specific goods and/or services. Registered trade marks are essential for business branding, and very useful when motivating take-down requests.
EU trade marks are valid for 10 years in all EU states, and can be renewed indefinitely.
I-DEPOT’s
To help protect Trade Secrets and generate proof for copyright, i-DEPOT’s can be made online of videos, documents, presentations, software releases etc.
i-DEPOT’s are deposited with the Benelux Office of IP (BOIP), and prove what was known on a particular date. The do not directly create any form of protection.
Other Services
Ask Us for a Second Opinion
If you are unhappy about the status of an existing case, we will investigate and let you know what your options are.
Before starting, we provide a quotation so that you know the costs.
PCT Entry in Europe (EPO)
For existing PCT patent filings, we amend the claims & formalise the entry into the European (EP) phase for a fixed fee.
Before starting, we provide a quotation so that you know the costs.
Validation of EU (EPO) Patents in Netherlands (NL)
For a granted European patent, we translate the claims & formalise the validation in The Netherlands for a fixed fee.
EPO Opposition
If you think a European patent should not have been granted, we can file an opposition within 9 months from grant.
EPO Appeal
If the European Patent Office has rejected your application or opposition, we can advise about what to do.
Protect Your Brilliant Inventions
Take the first step toward cost-effective patent & design protection.
Initial meetings or videochats are always free.