No, when they say a patent has been filed, it does not mean it has been approved. It simply means that the application for the patent has been submitted to the relevant patent office for examination and evaluation.
Here's a breakdown of the key stages in the patent process:
- Filing: The patent application is submitted to the patent office, including detailed information about the invention and claims of novelty.
- Examination: The patent office examines the application to ensure it meets all the requirements and criteria for patentability. This can involve searching for existing patents and other prior art, and requesting clarification or revisions from the applicant.
- Publication: If the application meets the requirements, it is published, allowing interested parties to review it and potentially oppose the grant of the patent.
- Opposition: During the opposition period, anyone can challenge the patentability of the invention based on various grounds.
- Grant: If no successful opposition is filed, the patent office grants the patent, giving the inventor exclusive rights to the invention for a specific period.
Therefore, saying a patent has been filed merely indicates it is at the start of the process and has not yet been granted. The approval process can take several months, sometimes even years, depending on the complexity of the invention and potential challenges.
Here are some additional points to remember:
- The patent office doesn't guarantee the success of any patent application. Even after filing, there's always a chance the application might be rejected during examination or opposition
