If you want to get simple and easy tips on how to patent your research and get commercial benefits out of it, you have come to the right place.
When a university student or professor thinks of research, the first thing that comes to their mind is a research publication. This is not bad, though, as researchers will always opt to publish a paper because it is much quicker and simpler to write. Further, in India, for academics, university/college management has fixed “journal publication” as a yearly target for self-appraisal and all.
However, some smart researchers who want to gain some commercial benefits from their research (hard work) might think of patenting their research.
Now, what is stopping them? What are the hurdles?
The first important thing is that there is a lack of awareness about patents in educational institutions. Every other person is publishing research publications and bragging about them. Only a few are filing patents, and, out of those, only a tiny fraction gets granted. Most institutions have little to no knowledge of the overall patenting process.
Anyhow, there is nothing to worry about, and as for patenting your research, you need to take three simple steps:
Step 1: Determine Whether Your Research Meets the Patentability Criteria
Previously, you needed an expert’s advice or opinion for this exercise. But now it is simple with the introduction of a straightforward and easy-to-use AI (Artificial Intelligence) platform—Novelty Checker. Here, you can add the problem you are solving along with your idea. The AI system will automatically compare it with millions of patents and research publications. It assists in conducting a novelty search to help you ensure that your innovation is unique. Additionally, it generates a novelty search report and further assist in improving your research so that you can get a patent. Furthermore, it gives you a quick Technology Analysis Report that helps you understand how the technology is moving, its current developments & industry problems, and different companies’ focus areas. It assists you in generating high-quality patents that are more focused and aligned with the industry’s problems.
Step 2: Approach IP Cell or External Attorney
Approach your institute’s IP cell or attorney to initiate your patenting process. You need to submit the IDF (Invention Disclosure Form) and the report generated through XLSCOUT’s Novelty Checker. The general process of patent filing includes the drafting of the patent application, its submission to the patent office, and keeping track of that office’s further actions.
Step 1 helps you a lot in Step 2. You need to first understand how your invention is unique. Second, how is it different from other prior art in the space? And third, you can easily make the professional (IP Cell/Attorney) understand the important aspects of your invention considering the existing prior art. This information will certainly help the professional draft a better patent application and cover critical details in the claims of the invention.
Step 3: Patent Office Action Response
The examiner at the patent office might ask a few questions about your invention, which you need to answer in collaboration with the professional. Once all the queries are answered, if the examiner feels that the patent application meets the three important criteria for getting a patent, they will move the application forward to the grant process.
Further, if you have any queries on this, feel free to contact us. We can also let you know how top universities are democratizing innovation and promoting patent culture.
