Atlanta Utility Patent Lawyer
Atlanta’s innovative spirit can be found in information technology, financial technology, aerospace, healthcare tech, and much more. When you create a new innovative process or machine in these industries, you need to protect it. Atlanta, GA, utility patent attorneys provide the support you need to assess patentability and file for a patent to safeguard your innovation and give you a competitive edge in the market.
Bold Patents: Your Atlanta Utility Patent Lawyer
At Bold Patents, we have decades of patent law experience and significant experience in securing patents in industries that are essential to Atlanta, like aerospace and life sciences.
The support of our team helps streamline the process of assessing your invention for patentability, refining the invention with key local resources, and applying for patent protection. Whether you are an independent innovator, part of a new startup, or in an existing small business, our firm can help you.
What Is a Utility Patent?
There are three patent types, and a utility patent is the most common type. It applies to the function of an invention, and is for new or innovative machines, compositions of matter, processes, and manufactured articles. Patent protection allows you certain rights to your invention, meaning you can stop others from making, using, selling, offering to sell, or importing your invention into the United States and its territories.
The Key Industries for Atlanta
As an innovator in Atlanta, GA, it is crucial that you are aware of the continual changes and inventions in its major industries. This is particularly important if your invention is in these sectors, as major changes can alter the use of your invention. Atlanta’s key industries include:
- Fintech, or financial technology
- Cleantech solutions
- Aerospace
- Film and film technology
- Life sciences and healthcare
- Advanced manufacturing
Many different companies and organizations help fuel important Atlanta innovation in these industries, such as:
- Major companies. Large and established companies help innovation through their research and development departments, as well as by having a significant and innovative workforce. Cleantech in Atlanta is fueled by companies like Qcells and Heliox. There are more than 118 billion transactions through fintech companies like Visa and Equifax in the state each year.
- Universities. There are several universities in Atlanta, including Georgia State University, Emory University, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Georgia Tech has the second-highest-ranked aerospace engineering program in the nation. These universities bring new talent and innovation to the area and provide crucial resources for inventors.
- Small businesses, incubators, and accelerators. Small businesses help change industries with new ideas and solutions. Incubators and accelerators help these innovators get their ideas and businesses off the ground.
- City initiatives. Funding and initiatives by the city to promote small businesses and entrepreneurs help further innovation. The Atlanta City Council invested $120 million in infrastructure in 2024. Infrastructure improvement helps small businesses, the people, and the workforce in the city, and supports innovation.
Important Innovator Resources
Resources are important for innovators, especially those without the support of a major company. It’s important to know what local resources are available to secure funding, the ability to document and refine your invention, and more. Some of these include:
- Georgia Tech’s Office of Licensing Technology. This program and others like it help innovators enter into licensing agreements with major companies, helping them profit from the invention while protecting their rights.
- Incubators and accelerators. This includes local organizations like Atlanta BeltLine, Launch Fayette, The Cranium Incubator, Endeavor Atlanta, and Rule1 Ventures. These companies and programs help small businesses and startups get the resources they need to begin and improve their business. This includes resources like networking events, funding opportunities, mentorships, and more.
- US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) resources. There is a USPTO Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) located in Atlanta at Georgia Tech, in the Library and Information Center.
PTRCs offer important resources that help you conduct patent searches and understand the patent filing process and requirements. The USPTO Southeast Regional Outreach Office is located in Alexandria, Virginia.
A patent attorney helps you assess which resources can help you and how to effectively protect your rights to your invention, including through a network of patent litigators.
Find Your Industry’s Patent Requirements
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.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost for a Utility Patent in Atlanta?
How much it costs for a utility patent in Atlanta depends on whether or not you qualify for a fee reduction. Filing and application for a utility patent with the USPTO costs between $70 and $350. There are also costs for conducting a patent search, the examination of your application, and issuing the patent. Utility patents also require maintenance fees. You should also consider the costs of an attorney, which can improve your likelihood of securing a patent.
What Are the Three Requirements for a Utility Patent?
Three of the requirements for a utility patent include that it is 1) useful and able to be used, 2) novel or an improvement on something existing without being derivative, and 3) it is either a machine, a process, a manufactured article, or composited matter. Your utility patent application must also include a clear description of how the invention is made and used.
How Many Years Will a Utility Patent Last in Georgia?
A utility patent lasts up to 20 years, assuming you pay all the required maintenance fees to the USPTO. Fees are due at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years. If you don’t pay these fees, then your patent will expire before the 20-year window of protection. The fees for maintenance range from $430 to $2,150 for the 3.5-year fees and from $1,656 to $8,280 for 11.5-year fees.
What Are Common Utility Patent Mistakes in Atlanta, GA?
There are several common utility patent mistakes in Atlanta, GA, such as not conducting a thorough patent and art search. This search looks at existing patents and publicly disclosed inventions to determine if you have made something innovative and therefore something qualifying for patent protection. It is also a common mistake to not hire a utility patent attorney. An attorney can help with these searches and many other things, like preparing your application.
Hire a Utility Patent Attorney in Atlanta
When you need to protect a bold idea, reach out to Bold Patents.
Bold Patents J.D. Houvener, Esq., MBA, P.E.
Principal Patent Attorney, Bold Patents
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What Others Have Said About Bold
Patents’ Law Firm!
My experience with the BOLD team has been fantastic every step of the way. I started not knowing anything about the process, and now I'm happy to say I'm two patents and counting with the BOLD team. They really make it easy. Thanks BOLD!
-Patrick Furlong
It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Bold Patents. They are extremely knowledgeable in their areas, prompt with their communications & responses, transparent & honest with their findings, break complex IP information into simple & understandable terms. Each & every member that I have interacted with has been...
-Hndle LLC Team
The Bold Patents team from day one maintained a feeling of support. BP definitely still provides “back in the day” customer service with a modern convenience. I never felt like I was just in a business deal. Even the fact that we are in different states had no effect on...
-Jessica Ramirez, Tolleson, AZ
Bold Patents gets the job done!!! They never left me out of the loop and they were there to answer any and every question I had. My patent attorney Houda is phenomenal. She took the extra step to get connected with my management advisory team and our progress skyrocketed. I’d...