What is the first step in obtaining a patent?

The first step in obtaining a patent is to file an application. This application is a formal request to the patent office to grant a patent for your invention. It includes detailed information about the invention, such as its claims, the background, and the prior art. Filing this application initiates the patent process and is crucial because it establishes your claim to the invention.

Once the application is submitted, it is examined by a patent examiner who will assess if the invention meets the requirements of novelty, non-obviousness, and usefulness. While explaining the invention, showing differences from prior art, and paying a filing fee are all important steps in the overall patent process, they belong to the broader context of what happens after the application is filed. Therefore, the act of filing the application is the foundational first step that starts the official pursuit of patent protection.