Nashville Utility Patent Attorney

Hire a Utility Patent Attorney You Can Rely On

You don’t want to get a patent with the help of any attorney. You want a local team with an understanding of the industries important to Nashville, and significant experience in patent law. At Bold Patents, we understand the intricacies of Nashville industries and innovation, and how patent law interacts with those industries. We have decades of experience in patent law and can help you get the resources and support you need at each step of your patent journey.

Utility Patent Basics

There are three types of patents: utility patents, design patents, and plant patents. A utility patent applies to what an invention can do, and is for an innovative or new machine, composition of matter, process, or manufactured article. Utility patents are the most common type of patent that people apply for and that are granted.

In addition to the prior requirements, a utility patent must also be:

1. New or improved
2. Useful
3. Non-theoretical
4. Non-obvious

There must also be a straightforward description of how your invention is made or used when you apply for patent protection. If you get patent protection, it can last up to 20 years and allows you to prevent other parties from taking certain actions with your invention, like making or selling it.

Provisional Patent Applications

When you file a patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), there can be a long waiting period before you hear from the office about the examination process. One option to speed up the process is a provisional patent.

Before you file the full application, you can file a provisional patent, which doesn’t require as much information as the application. This gives you additional time to develop and refine your invention and gather the resources for the full application. When you have a provisional patent, that is your filing date for your full application once you file it within the timeline. This can cut a lot of waiting time.

Industries Important in Nashville’s Innovation

When you are an innovator in Nashville, it’s important to be aware of where innovation happens and the industries that are likely to change quickly. In this city, some of the main industries include:

• Healthcare
• Music and audio technology
• Logistics, transportation, and distribution
• Advanced manufacturing
• Emerging technologies

These industries get fueled by things like:

• Vanderbilt University
• Major healthcare corporations like HCA Healthcare Inc. and Ascension Saint Thomas
• New and innovative start-ups and small businesses
• Accelerators, incubators, and investors in entrepreneurs and start-ups
• The Tech Council for the Greater Nashville Area
• City initiatives for small businesses and economic development

There is also the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. In the Chamber’s 2024 to 2025 report, it reported business relocations and expansions adding 3,000 jobs and creating nearly $502 million in capital investments. In the past three decades, the Chamber has helped 3,200 business expansions or relocations.

Innovator Resources in Nashville

Finding the right resources to support the development of an idea is crucial when you are an innovator with big ideas. Some important local resources include:

• Vanderbilt University Center for Technology Transfer & Commercialization. In the past decade, the center has helped secure 611 patents and execute 929 licenses.
• Incubators, accelerators, and investors. This includes Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Launch Tennessee, and Jumpstart Foundry.
• USPTO resources. There is a USPTO Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) located in Knoxville, in the John C. Hodges Library. PTRCs have useful resources for understanding patent applications and conducting patent searches.

When you work with the right local patent attorney, they can help you look at these and other resources. Based on your business goals and invention needs, an attorney can advise you on the right resources for you, while also protecting your invention rights during collaboration.

Find Your Industry’s Patent Requirements

It’s important to 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.

Aerospace	Electronic Devices
Agriculture	Fitness
Algorithms	Gaming
Architecture and Construction	Hardware Design
Artificial Intelligence (AI)	Medical Devices
Business Methods	Smart Home Technology
Cleantech and Green Tech	Software
Computer Hardware	Robotics
Consumer Products	Wearable Tech
Transportation & Logistics	Nanotechnology
3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing	Cybersecurity
Telecommunications	Blockchain
Cleantech and Green Tech

FAQs

What Are the Three Requirements for a Utility Patent?

Three requirements for a utility patent are that the invention is 1) something new or innovative, 2) useful and able to be used, and 3) is either a process, a composition of matter, a machine, or a manufactured article. There are also the requirements that all patents must meet, including a description of how to make and use the invention, and not being an obvious derivative of an existing invention.

What Is the Average Cost of a Utility Patent in Nashville?

The average cost of a utility patent varies, as you may qualify for fee reductions in certain cases. You also want to consider the cost of an attorney, who can significantly help in the patent process. Some of the fees for a utility patent include a filing fee from $70 to $350, a search fee from $154 to $770, an examination fee of $176 to $880, and an issue fee of $258 to $1,290. There are also maintenance fees.

What Are the Rights of a Utility Patent?

The rights of a utility patent mean that you can prevent other parties from making, using, selling, offering to sell, or importing your invention. These rights apply to U.S. states and territories. A patent does not give you automatic exclusive rights to the invention. If someone infringes on your rights, you must take action to prevent infringement. A utility patent applies to what the invention can do.

How Can You Obtain a Utility Patent in Nashville?

You can obtain a utility patent by filing an application with the USPTO, which documents the invention and shows that it meets the definition of a patent. This is much easier when you hire a utility patent attorney. They can help you conduct a patent and art search, which means looking at existing patents and publicly disclosed inventions to determine if your invention is truly new or innovative. If it isn’t, it cannot be patented.

Nashville Utility Patent Lawyer

Patent protection is not just for major companies with endless resources. Our firm helps the little guy establish important rights to intellectual property with crucial support. Reach out to Bold Patents today.