What Does Patent Pending Mean?

To register your patent, you must understand the terminology, including frequent phrases such as patent pending. In this article, I'll explore the question of what does patent pending mean and take you through how you can get this preliminary protection for your invention.

What patent pending doesn't mean

When defining what patent pending means, it's essential to understand what it doesn't mean.

Simply saying that your invention is "patent pending" doesn't offer you any legal protection. You must file a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to acquire patent pending status.

And this doesn't mean that the USPTO has approved your patent. It simply means that your patent is in the process of potentially being approved.

So this begs the question:

What sort of legal protection does patent pending offer me?

So, if your patent hasn't been granted but is merely pending, what benefit does patent pending offer you?

Well, consider this hypothetical scenario:

You've devised an idea for a unique, never-before-used design for a lava lamp. You decide to sell your lamps online, but not before registering for a patent. This gives you the right to say that your lava lamps are patent pending.

So, while you don't have official patent protection, should someone use your design, you can issue a cease and desist letter.

And should your patent be approved by the Patent Office, the infringer will be liable for patent infringement and backdated monetary damages.

Spencer Keller, one of our Patent Attorneys, had this to say:

“The patent process can take a good chunk of time to complete, but once a patent application is filed, the inventor may market their product as "patent pending." Most of us have either heard that phrase in a TV commercial or seen it physically listed on a product, but the rights associated with "patent pending" status go beyond marketing value. 

Before 1999, "patent pending" had very little value, but after the passage of The American Inventors Protection Act of 1999, things changed significantly. Now, inventors can sue for infringement during the patent pending period (e.g. before the patent is granted), but they must market their item as "patent pending" and they must wait until the patent is granted to file a lawsuit. 

For example, say I file a patent application for a new pen and begin selling this pen with "patent pending" labeled on it. 

If my application takes two years to be granted and a competitor is making an exact copy of my pen during that two-year period, then I could sue that competitor for damages during that two-year patent pending period, but I can only initiate this lawsuit after the patent for the pen has been granted.”

Pretty convenient, isn't it? Patent pending lets you bring your invention to the public before patent approval while potentially mitigating the risk of doing so. 

That's neat! And are there any other benefits?

Patent pending gives you priority date for the invention

Wait, what does this mean?

Well, in a nutshell:

It means that should someone apply for a patent for the same invention at a later date, your patent application takes precedence. 

Take note: You may see "patent pending" take the form of "patent applied for," "Pat. Pending, or even "Pat. Pend.".

Are there any other reasons why patent pending is essential?

Yes, there are several reasons why patent pending is important.

Consider the status patent-pending can offer you when it comes to customers. Some may even purchase from you solely because they believe your products to be cutting-edge.

And because a patent generally lasts up to 20 years from the filing date, you have plenty of time to capitalize!

So, how do I get my invention patented?

To get your invention patented and get use of the phrase "patent pending," you'll have to complete a patent application with the USPTO. It's well-advised to seek the expertise of a patent attorney who can guide you through the process of getting your invention patented.