Have you got an amazing idea for your mobile app? But, at the same time, are you concerned that someone might steal it and use it before you know? If this is the case, there is no need to be concerned.
You can patent, copyright, or trademark your mobile app idea. You can avoid having your app concept stolen this way. To protect others from stealing your app idea, several business owners and entrepreneurs have already patented their mobile app ideas.
Furthermore, you must ensure that your app idea is unique and novel; otherwise, your efforts will be futile if it is comparable to another app.
Today, we’re going to walk you through the entire process of patenting an app idea.
What Does Patenting a Mobile App Mean?
A patent is a type of intellectual property that protects your software ideas from unauthorised or illegal use. Furthermore, it prevents other people or corporations from selling or changing it because it considers you to be the true proprietor of your app idea.
Therefore, patenting your mobile app ensures that no one undermines your app idea or revenues by incorrectly claiming credit for your entire app idea.
If the following conditions are met, an app may be patented:
– The app is novel or new
– The app is more than simply an abstract concept, which means that some procedures or methods used can be patented
– The patent is sufficiently novel that it would be surprising to someone with experience in your field
Why Patent Your Mobile App?
The most significant reason to patent an app, in my opinion, is that it gives you legal protection against anyone who violates your intellectual property rights. In other words, if another party does a banned behavior connected to your software patent without your authorization, you can sue for patent infringement.
Obtaining a patent for your app will offer you this legal protection for a set period of time, usually 20 years. Long periods of patent protection may encourage you to pursue risky practices with your app, such as entering into licensing agreements or enjoying exclusive usage of your creation, in order to preserve a competitive advantage.
A better example that will help you understand why patenting is important is as follows:
In 1994, there was a major conflict between Apple and Microsoft. Microsoft, according to Apple, stole their idea. The Lisa’s graphical user interface and the Mac operating system inspired the concept. However, Apple did not obtain a patent for that.
As a result, Microsoft won that battle. Things would have been different if Apple had patented the concept.
How Do You Know If Your Mobile App Idea Is Patentable?
In general, consider the following key elements when determining the eligibility of mobile app patents:
A Mobile App Concept Should Be Novel and Distinct
If your app idea solves a consumer need, it does not indicate that it is patentable. Your app concept must be novel. Simply put, any app ideas that have not been made public through books, papers, or other media should not be shared by you.
It Should Be Considered An “Invention”
In general, patents are the greatest way to protect inventions. A patent, according to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), is a solution to any problem.
Ascertain Your Patent As Useful
Finally, your patent should be qualified as helpful. It states that your software should work at least theoretically. If your app is not useful as it should be, it’s tough to patent your app.
Process for Patenting Your App:
1. Provisional Patent Application Filing
You can secure a filing date for your invention by filing a Provisional Patent Application. Most app developers do this first since it is less expensive than filing a non-provisional patent application and does not necessitate the additional effort of filing a formal patent claim.
This application still necessitates a very full explanation of your program, and it is preferable if you include drawings, flow charts, and other visuals to clarify potential areas of confusion later on.
Provisional Patent Applications allow you to secure a filing date sooner without having to devote the full resources required to complete your application. The one-year patent-pending status allows you to determine whether your software will be successful.
2. File a Regular Patent Application Within a Year
Within one year of filing the provisional patent, you must file a regular patent. You will lose your filing date if you do not accomplish this. Your ordinary patent application initiates the evaluation process that will determine whether or not you will acquire a genuine patent for your app.
Your patent application is divided into the following sections:
– Specification: The specification describes what distinguishes your app from others on the market.
– Claims: In this part, you must specify unequivocally which aspects of your program you claim legal ownership of.
– Abstract: The app’s abstract must be detailed enough so that anyone with even a passing knowledge of the area can recreate it.
– Drawings: If your patent has a graphical user interface, you will almost probably need to include figures and visual representations of the software.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mobile app concepts are unique and valuable. It smacks of deception and manipulation when other individuals or businesses attribute their original ideas to nobody, and nobody loves it.
Versatile Mobitech advises you not to squander critical resources such as time and money unless you are certain that your app idea is original, innovative, and an altogether new solution to any current problem. Filing a patent application for a mobile app is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. If you have any questions about filing a patent or whether you should file, please contact us and one of our specialists will walk you through the process.
We go through a rigorous process to understand your business goals and target audience before developing a cutting-edge mobile app. Then we start visualising the app as it will be. Then, proceed to design, development, deployment, and post-launch support.
We are open to the language you wish to use while developing a mobile app for you. We provide native mobile development for iOS and Android, as well as cross-platform development tools such as Cordova/PhoneGap, Xamarin, and React Native.