Design patents are cheaper and usually faster to obtain compared to utility patent applications. However, it takes about 20 months from the date of filing to the date of issuance if you don’t expedite your design patent. The USPTO recognizes that sometimes you need to protect your design patent faster than that. For example, in “the Fashion Industry”, where design is constantly evolving, and some only good for a few months or few seasons.
One way to go about expediting your design patent is to file what we call the “Rocket Docket”.
What is the “Rocket Docket”?
Rocket Docket allows inventors to request an expedited review of their design patent application.
What are the Requirements for Filing an Expedited Design Patent?
Some of the formalities and requirements for filing a docket rocket are the same as filing a regular design. Here are the requirements:
- specification
- drawings showing clearly your designs
- an oath or declaration saying that the inventor is the inventor of the design
- a statement saying that you have conducted a search – The USPTO wants to see the classifications of where and how you conducted the search with some of the keywords you’ve used.
- filled out information disclosure sheet with everything that you found to be relevant
- additional fee for filing the design patent application and a fee to expedite it
Request for Expedited Examination of a Design Application
Instead of waiting for 20 months for issuance, the expedited design patent can issue in as little as 6 to 7 months.
Interested in learning more about how to expedite your design patent?
Schedule a free discovery call with our team today.
Innovent Law helps innovators protect, maintain and defend patent, trademark, copyright, and other intellectual property rights in the United States and around the world.