Los Angeles, CA Utility Patent Attorney

Why Hire a Utility Patent Attorney With Bold Patents in Los Angeles?

For decades, the attorneys at Bold Patents have helped visionaries like you navigate patent law and secure protection for groundbreaking inventions. Our attorneys understand the industry landscape of Los Angeles, and we have secured patents in relevant industries like energy technologies, transportation and logistics, and aerospace. Whether you are a small business, start-up, or individual inventor, we can support you in protecting what you have created.

Key Industries That Impact Inventions in Los Angeles

There are many important industries that support the Los Angeles economy and push innovation, including:

• Entertainment technology
• Sustainable energy solutions
• Emerging tech
• Aerospace and defense
• Fashion
• Logistics and transportation

Logistics in the greater Los Angeles area are fueled by the more than $400 billion annual exports and imports. Many organizations and businesses support this industry and others through innovation, research, and manufacturing. This includes:

• Universities, including the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Southern California (USC), Loyola Marymount University (LMU), California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA), which offer grants, facilities, and support
• Incubators and accelerators, like M Accelerator, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI), and Founder Institute, which help small businesses grow
• City initiatives that further support start-ups and new businesses
• Major companies in these industries and their research and development departments

The UCLA Division of Physical Sciences has secured many patents, including 155 patents by chemistry and biochemistry faculty and researchers.

What Is a Utility Patent?

A utility patent is one type of patent that protects your invention’s function. It applies to new or improved machines, processes, articles of manufacture, and compositions of matter, as long as those inventions are new, functional, and non-derivative. When you successfully secure a utility patent, it protects your invention for 20 years from the date of your application filing. You will have the right to prevent others from selling, making, using, or importing it during this time.

Securing a Provisional Utility Patent

A utility patent can also be filed as a provisional patent. This is an application that can be filed without needing a full patent application. Once the provisional patent is filed, you have 12 months to file your full utility patent application. When that application is filed, it will have the filing date of the provisional application, effectively saving your place in line.

After filing a provisional patent, you can take the time to refine and further develop your invention and gather the resources to properly document it for your application. Filing a provisional patent can help reduce the waiting time during the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) examination period.

Resources to Support Innovators in Los Angeles

There are many resources that can help innovators understand patent law better and secure the support and funding to develop inventions.

There is a USPTO Patent and Trademark Resource Center located in the Los Angeles Public Library, at 630 W. Fifth Street. This can provide crucial information for new innovators who want to learn more about patents and the protections provided for intellectual property.

Resources like networking opportunities, lab facilities, mentorships, grant and investment opportunities, and more can also be found through incubators, accelerators, university resources, business development centers, and more.

What Is the USPTO Utility Patent Filing Process?

Applying for a utility patent may follow these steps:

1. Determining if your invention meets the definition of an invention
2. Conducting a patent and art search for prior inventions
3. Disclosing your invention
4. Filing a provisional patent application
5. Furthering development and documentation
6. Preparing your complete application and filing it
7. Navigating the USPTO examination process
8. Receiving your issued patent

Find Your Industry’s Patent Requirements

Get targeted patent guidance for your specific industry. Click on your industry below to discover specialized patent requirements, strategic approaches, and how our attorneys can transform your ideas into protected assets.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Get a Utility Patent in Los Angeles?

While the time it takes to get a utility patent in Los Angeles will vary, on average, it takes 30.8 months to get a patent according to the USPTO, as of August 2025. Because there are so many more utility patents, they can take longer than other patent types. When you hire a utility patent attorney, they can assess your unique case to estimate how long the process may take for your invention in Los Angeles.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get a Patent in Los Angeles?

The cheapest way to get a patent in Los Angeles, CA, is to file as a micro entity and to not work with an attorney. However, this may limit your ability to secure patent protection. The entity size you file with the USPTO impacts your fees, but you must qualify for the fee reductions. Working with an patent attorney in LA improves your chances of success and makes it much easier to navigate the USPTO process.

What Are the Risks of Not Patenting an Invention in Los Angeles?

When you do not patent an invention in Los Angeles, there are many risks, including the risk of having your invention stolen or used by other individuals and companies. Without patent protection, you have no legal resources to stop them from profiting from your invention or otherwise using it. You can also lose out on opportunities like commercializing your invention, as companies know they can get your invention elsewhere.

Do I Need a Los Angeles Design Patent if I Have a Utility Patent?

Whether or not you need a design patent when you have a utility patent depends on the specifics of your invention and what you want to protect. If you want to protect an innovative design of your invention, you also need to file a design patent. A utility patent will not protect the appearance of your invention, only the function.

Contact Bold Patents in Los Angeles Today

Utility patent cases can be technically complex, and Bold Patents knows how to understand your invention and navigate patent law successfully. Contact our firm today to safeguard your invention.

Bold Bold Local Inventor Spotlight: Casey & Gisell Pepo — Wrench Socket DesignLocal Inventor Spotlight: Brian Poetter & FanBags Cornhole

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.

Bold Patents J.D. Houvener, Esq., MBA, P.E.

Principal Patent Attorney, Bold Patents