When you’ve made something innovative in Texas, like a new machine or method of doing things, you need a Texas utility patent attorney to help you protect your rights.
At Bold Patents, we have years of intellectual property and patent protection experience.
There are three different patent types, and utility patents are what the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) most frequently receives and issues. In 2024, the USPTO saw 599,387 utility patent applications filed, compared to 61,688 design patent applications and 787 plant patent applications. Additionally, the USPTO issued 326,189 utility patents the same year, compared to 44,086 design patents and 764 plant patents.
In order to qualify for a utility patent, an invention must meet the qualifications, including:
Unlike a design patent, which focuses on the shape or look of a product, a utility patent focuses on what that product can do.
Utility patents last for 20 years from the date you file a nonprovisional patent. When you secure patent protection for an invention, that gives you certain rights to what you created. It allows you to prevent others from:
These rights enable you to secure a market advantage. If you have a start-up or a small business, it can give you a major advantage over competitors and help you succeed. If you are an independent inventor who is not interested in direct entrepreneurship, then these rights can aid you in commercialization and licensing negotiations, allowing you to protect your invention from theft as you navigate the process.
These rights apply to U.S. states and territories, but they are not automatic. If someone begins selling your invention without your permission, you have to take action to enforce your rights.
Before you file a full utility patent application, you might want to file a provisional patent. This is essentially an application that holds your spot in the filing order but does not require a comprehensive application.
When you do file the full patent application, called the nonprovisional application, you get the filing date of the provisional patent. The provisional application gives you 12 months to refine your invention and prepare your application. Because the processing time can often be years, this can help save you some time.
Some of the primary industries in Texas include:
The industries are fueled by major companies and their workforces. The petrochemical industry alone employs about 130,000 people in Texas. Other driving forces include research and development branches, the state’s investments, and its infrastructure like the 23 seaports.
Knowing these industries and innovation in them is important for Texas innovators. There are many potential opportunities for utility patents, like:
At Bold Patents, we understand the industries throughout key locations in Texas, from El Paso to Houston, and have secured many utility patents for inventions in industries like logistics and information tech. We know the specific challenges when securing patent protection in these areas and the opportunities that are available to you.
As an inventor and innovator in Texas, you can find resources to help you, such as:
There are eight USPTO Patent and Trademark Resource Centers throughout Texas, and the USPTO Southwest Regional Office is located in Dallas.
It’s important to get targeted patent guidance for your specific industry. Find your industry below to discover specialized patent requirements, strategic approaches, and how our attorneys can transform your ideas into protected intellectual property and assets.
The price of a utility patent in Texas includes USPTO fees and attorney fees. The USPTO fees include application filing fees for between $70 and $350, patent search fees for $154 to $770, and patent examination fees for $176 to $880. There are additional fees for issuing a patent after it’s granted, a separate filing fee if you file a provisional patent application, and maintenance fees to upkeep your patent rights.
A Texas patent attorney generally charges an hourly rate, although some attorneys may have specific flat-fee services. The exact rate varies significantly. If you work with an attorney who has more experience in patents and intellectual property, they likely charge higher rates for that experience.
If you have a uniquely complex or hard-to-document invention, this can also increase costs, because it will take more time to prepare an application and may require additional resources.
It can be difficult to get a utility patent in Texas, but if your invention is patentable and presented correctly in the application, it is much easier. It helps significantly to hire a utility patent attorney.
An attorney can help you assess if your invention is patentable by reviewing the invention itself and conducting a patent search. They can also help draft a strong patent application.
You may be able to get a patent for a utility model, but it depends entirely on the specific invention. Utility models do not exist through the USPTO, but are a type of international intellectual property protection for minor updates to existing inventions and products. When filing through the USPTO, these changes might qualify for a utility patent or a child patent of a patent you already have. If the change is too small or obvious, it may not qualify.
Contact Bold Patents with your bold invention.
Written by Patent Attorney J.D. Houvener, this updated edition provides inventors, entrepreneurs, and startups with practical guidance for protecting ideas, avoiding costly mistakes, and navigating the patent process with confidence.
Whether you’re exploring a new invention, building a startup, or preparing to file a patent application, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence. Get personalized guidance from experienced patent professionals who understand the challenges inventors face.
We are a full-service patent and trademark prosecution firm. We help inventors and entrepreneurs research, protect, and monetize their intellectual property in the marketplace.
Schedule a Discovery Call 601-298-8425
Copyright © 2026 - Bold Patents• All Rights Reserved. Digital Marketing By: 
