Anna applies for a patent in Norway
First step – protection in the home country
Anna has developed a new shock-absorbing helmet that she believes could be popular in Norway. She wants to protect the technology because it will give her a competitive advantage for many years to come and she will have exclusive rights to make money from the helmet in Norway.
For Anna to obtain a patent for the helmet, the technology must be new, involve an inventive step, and be industrially applicable.
Did you know that?
Patent protection requires that the invention has not been discussed, shown or used publicly before the application date. Not just in Norway, but throughout the world!
This is how Anna goes about applying for a patent:
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News research / dialogue search (optional): Before Anna applies for a patent, she orders an assignment from the Norwegian Patent Office to check whether similar technologies have already been patented.
Estimated price: NOK 5,000 – 30,000 -
Market research: She may also choose to do other research beforehand depending on how competitive the helmet's technology is and which markets she wants to sell in.
Price: depending on the scope of the survey -
Writing the patent application: The application must describe the helmet's technology in detail, including how it works and what makes it new and innovative.
Anna engages an IP advisor to ensure that the application meets all requirements. - Submission of the patent application: The IP advisor submits the application to the Norwegian Industrial Property Office on behalf of Anna.
- Waiting time and processing: It can take 1-3 years to obtain a patent in Norway. Along the way, the Norwegian Patent Office may ask questions or request adjustments to the application, and the IP advisor will work with Anna to make any necessary changes.
Only 1 in 10 who apply for a patent without professional help succeed.
Cost overview – Norwegian application
To apply for a patent in Norway, you must expect a cost of NOK 45,000 to NOK 100,000 . This cost includes having an IP advisor help you write and submit the patent application.
You can renew your patent in Norway every year for up to 20 years. The price increases for each year the patent is maintained.
Anna applies for patents in several countries
After receiving an assessment of whether the patent can be registered in Norway, Anna is considering applying for a patent in other countries as well. She dreams of getting exclusive rights to the helmet in every country in the world, but quickly finds out that it will be very expensive and complicated. She therefore chooses countries where she thinks the helmet will sell best, and in addition some well-known manufacturing countries where she wants to produce the helmet.
This is how Anna proceeds:
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Market analysis (optional): Anna hires a consulting firm to assess the market potential in different countries around the world.
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IP Advisor: Helps Anna apply for international patent protection through the PCT system. This gives her time to decide in which countries she wants protection.
The IP advisor helps Anna file the application within the 12-month deadline, so that she gets priority from her Norwegian patent application. The PCT system simplifies the process of applying for a patent in several countries. The PCT process starts internationally with an assessment of the application, before it goes on to a regional or several national patent offices, which decide whether the application can be approved there.
Advantages of international patent application (PCT)
- International protection of your invention with a single application
- More time to consider which markets are most relevant to your invention
- Valuable insights that can help you improve your application throughout the application process
- The costs are spread over a longer period of time
Continuation of PCT
Anna believes that the market potential is greatest in Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada. The helmet will be manufactured in China, so she will also seek patent protection there.
When she receives a response to her PCT application after about 30 months, she has a plan ready for which countries she wants to extend her patent to. She then enters the national phase. After about 3-4 years from the time the Norwegian application was submitted, Anna has protection in all countries where she wants to sell or manufacture her helmet.
Cost overview – international application via PCT
A PCT application is filed through WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization). You will need the assistance of an IP advisor to prepare and submit the application. The price for such an application is usually between 50,000 and 60,000 kroner .
After the PCT phase, you must file applications in each country where you want protection. You still need an IP advisor for this work.
The cost per country is usually around 30,000 to 60,000 kroner .
If you apply in a total of 14 countries , the total cost will be approximately NOK 600,000 .
Summary: Important tips when applying for a patent
Consider ordering a novelty research: Check if similar technologies have already been patented.
Writing a good patent application: The application must thoroughly describe the helmet's technical solutions, while meeting strict requirements for both form and content. Consider engaging an IP advisor to help you.
Keep the invention secret: This is critical to meeting the novelty requirement and obtaining a patent.
Plan your costs: Consider what is necessary for your business.
