Los Angeles maintains its thriving entertainment industry, and innovation in the city is also bolstered by emerging tech, logistics, and sustainable energy. In these and many other industries in the city, competition is high. When you create something new, like a new device for clothes construction or a new method of filming, you need to safeguard that invention with the help of a Los Angeles, CA utility patent attorney.
You need to defend your intellectual property so that you can benefit from it, such as by supporting your small business or start-up or entering into a commercialization agreement. The team at Bold Patents can help you navigate this process.
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.
There are many important industries that support the Los Angeles economy and push innovation, including:
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:
The UCLA Division of Physical Sciences has secured many patents, including 155 patents by chemistry and biochemistry faculty and researchers.
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.
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.
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.
Applying for a utility patent may follow these steps:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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