Our team can assist you in locations throughout the state, including San Francisco, Riverside, San Jose, Los Angeles, Chula Vista, El Segundo, Oakland, Oxnard, San Diego, Woodland Hills and many others. If you have created something that can bring a competitive edge to your market, a California patent lawyer can help protect that idea. There are several ways in which the right attorney can assist your efforts. Bold Patents can provide you with legal support by:
Patenting your invention can allow you to have control over the creation, use, and distribution of that invention. You can profit from your idea and make your plans a reality. Bold Patents can assist you with your journey. Our experienced attorneys can help you complete a patent search, determine if your idea can be patented, and draft and file your patent application. We work to understand the specifics of your situation and the full scope of your industry.
We have spent years working in patent and intellectual property law, which gives us the knowledge, experience, and resources we need to bring you unparalleled legal support. We can help you understand any questions or concerns about the process. Our team can meet your intellectual property protection needs. When you have made a bold invention, you need bold actions. We can determine what solutions are ideal for your long-term goals.
Intellectual property law covers several types of protection, including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. Patents are a type of intellectual property protection that enables the creator of an idea to prevent others from selling, making, or attempting to sell the invention they made. While large companies have significant resources to file a lot of patents and other types of protection, anyone with a patentable idea can file for intellectual property rights.
Patents only work within the U.S., but having one gives you significant protections as an inventor. If another party infringes on your patent rights, you can file legal action against them. Depending on the type of patent, you may secure other rights. A patent cannot give you the right to sell or import, only control over that ability.
A patentable idea is a first-to-file system, meaning that patents are provided in the order that someone files for them. The sooner you file for a patent on your idea, the less likely that someone else will file for the idea before you and secure the patent.
Having a patent allows you to control who uses, sells, intends to sell, and makes the product you invented. You can use your patented invention to support a business that you already own or plan to start, or you can license it to another company to produce and market it. By patenting your invention, you can prevent others from getting the same competitive edge as you, thus improving your profitability. This protection can last as long as 20 years.
There are several different types of patents, although each has some basic requirements. Under the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) definition, a patentable invention must:
Intellectual property law can be complicated and frustrating, particularly because it costs you to complete patent searches and file an application. Mistakes can prolong the process or even add expenses. Patents are not always the right option for your invention. At Bold Patents, our team can help you navigate the process of applying for a patent. We can also determine if another intellectual property option is right for you.
You get an idea patented by filing an application with the USPTO and having that application approved, resulting in the issuance of a patent. Although the exact steps can vary, some important parts of applying for a USPTO patent include:
A patent attorney can help you create an application, and they can also prevent errors or information request delays. Your attorney can also help ensure that a patent is the right form of protection for your intellectual property based on your current and long-term goals for the invention.
A patent attorney is not required to patent an idea in California, but working with one can significantly ease your stress. Getting a patent can be complicated, and an attorney helps you meet the requirements and create a more successful application. As your application continues through the USPTO examination process, your attorney can keep you updated and provide additional guidance.
There are different levels of intellectual property protection, and a patent may not be the right option to protect your interests. An attorney can review the options available to you and explain the pros and cons of each.
At Bold Patents, we aim to understand your unique needs. That way, we can better provide for your goals of protecting and profiting from your invention. Our team can give you the information you need to succeed. We have many services to help inventors patent and protect their ideas, including:
The USPTO has three types of patents. Each covers a different type or component of an invention. These patents are:
In most cases, once a patent expires, the protections it provides end permanently. There are rare cases where a patent can be extended, or its protections can be altered. Your attorney can help you review these exceptions and determine other ways to protect an invention.
The USPTO doesn’t allow you to patent everything. There are restrictions on what you can patent. You cannot patent:
There may be other options to protect an invention, even if it does not qualify for a patent. Trademarks, trade secrets, and copyrights can help you protect your interests in an invention or give you some level of shielding.
An inventor or their legal representative are generally the only parties who are allowed to file a patent for an idea. If more than one party invented the item, parties can file together as co-inventors. An inventor can also assign an individual or a company the ability to file for a patent. Other than these situations, non-inventors can only file for a patent when one of the following is true:
Simply contributing money to an invention does not make you eligible to file a patent.
Patents are a type of intellectual property, and patent attorneys have knowledge that is specific to patents. Intellectual property attorneys have broader knowledge of intellectual property laws, while patent attorneys have the education and experience that is relevant to patents. Patent attorneys may have some level of broad intellectual property knowledge, but they are licensed by the relevant agencies and have the technical skills needed to deal with patents.
A patent agent is not licensed to practice law or give legal advice, while patent attorneys are. Patent agents are able to provide representation for individuals and businesses, including in USPTO proceedings, but not in legal situations. A patent attorney is licensed to provide this representation.
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 cost of a patent lawyer varies. It relies significantly on the skill and abilities of the attorney as well as the specifics of your case. For drafting or reviewing an application, an attorney may only charge a flat fee. However, for longer services, such as protecting patent rights in legal action, an attorney is likely to charge an hourly rate. These rates increase in more complex cases.
The cost of a patent lawyer can also rely on the firm’s unique policies and the location of the firm. A city law firm will likely have higher rates. Patent lawyer costs may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it’s important to understand the many benefits that an attorney can bring to your case. You should always discuss attorney fees and other expected costs with a potential patent lawyer before you hire them.
The attorneys with Bold Patents focus on you. We know the importance of client commitment and communication. Our team understands that intellectual property law can be complicated, so we are here to help with any questions you have. We want to develop a long-term business relationship to always support you as you patent your inventions. Contact Bold Patents for bold solutions to your intellectual property hopes.
At Bold Patents, we’re proud to spotlight Casey Gisell Pepo of Palmdale, California, the inventive duo behind U.S. Design Patent No. D1,088,779 S, issued on August 19, 2025. Their patent protects a distinctive ornamental design for a wrench socket, proving that even the most everyday tools can be reimagined through creativity and precision.
Falling within the Tools / Industrial Design industry, the Pepos’ design showcases a refined approach to form and function. While maintaining the strength and reliability required of a wrench socket, their design incorporates unique contours and visual elements that set it apart from standard hardware. This kind of innovation demonstrates how subtle design improvements can elevate a tool from functional necessity to standout product—offering both performance and style for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Bold Patents attorney Binita Singh worked closely with Casey and Gisell to secure protection for their inventive design, ensuring every aesthetic detail received the recognition it deserves. Through the Bold team’s guidance and the Pepos’ hands-on ingenuity, their design patent now stands as a testament to how forward-thinking creators continue to shape the next generation of tools.
Congratulations to Casey and Gisell Pepo—two inventors whose craftsmanship and vision bring artistry to industry, reminding us that even the smallest innovations can make a big impact.
Principal Patent Attorney, Bold Patents
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.
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