A patent is a property right that protects an invention, i.e. a product or process that provides a new technical solution to a given technical problem.
Patents protect and promote your technical innovations.
And guess what? A patent not only protects your invention, it also adds value to it.
However, not all inventions can be patented and protected. They must meet certain very specific criteria: they must be new, provide an innovative solution and be applicable in an industrial context.
Don’t know where to start when it comes to protecting your inventions? Don’t panic, our specialist patent team is here to support you at every stage of the product life cycle. Our teams work closely with you to defend your interests : from prior art searches, to checking FTO (Freedom to Operate) or patentability, to drafting the patent application, filing it and defending it before the authorities or against third parties.
Whether you’re an ambitious start-up, a fast-growing SME or a recognised international group, we work closely with you to understand your objectives and develop a patent strategy tailored to your needs.
Our experts cover a wide range of technical fields and can provide you with expert advice and an in-depth analysis of the patentability of your invention. So don’t waste any more time! Protect your creativity and bring your boldest ideas to life!
Services
Gsmart-IP provides a dedicated service for a comprehensive analysis of relevant prior art in your field of activity. We use advanced search tools and specialised databases to identify patents and scientific publications that may be similar or related to your innovation.
Using our methodical approach, we assess the relevance and validity of the prior art identified, focusing on the distinctive features of your invention.
Our aim is to help you assess the patentability potential of your innovation, providing you the information you need to make informed decisions.
Whether you are an individual inventor, a start-up or an established company, our patent expertise will help you identify the opportunities and risks associated with your invention.
Drafting a patent application is an essential step in securing your innovations and preserving your competitive edge.
We carry out a careful analysis of your invention, identifying the key elements that make it unique and innovative. Using our in-depth knowledge of different technical fields, we translate these complex concepts into clear and precise terms, while guaranteeing the scope of your protection.
By working with Gsmart-IP, you benefit from personalised assistance throughout the patent drafting process.
When defining the patent filing strategy with you, we take into account several factors such as the nature of your innovation, its novelty, its technical aspect, its potential market and your budget. We also guide you in choosing the countries in which to file your patent applications, based on your target markets and commercial priorities.
Our aim is to help you obtain optimum protection for your innovations while optimising your resources.
Our team will take care of your patent filings, whether national, regional or international. We also provide advice on patent prosecution strategies, including subsequent amendments and extensions, to maximise the value of your patent portfolio.
We also guide you through all aspects of timing, costs and regulatory requirements for effective management of your patent portfolio.
Our team can provide you with a budget estimate for your projects, including the main factors to be taken into account for your patent applications.
This includes aspects such as the complexity of the invention, the geographical scope of the protection sought, the time required, as well as other related services such as prior art searches or opposition proceedings.
Our patent experts have extensive experience in analysing and interpreting patent data. They use advanced monitoring and technology intelligence tools to collect, sort and analyse information relevant to your business. Thanks to their expertise, they can provide you detailed reports and customised recommendations to help you make the most of patent monitoring.
A patent licence agreement is a legal agreement that allows a third party to use your patented invention in return for the payment of a royalty. This means that you grant another company or individual the right to exploit your patent while preserving your intellectual property rights. A well-designed licence agreement guarantees you fair remuneration for the use of your invention and allows you to retain control over how it is exploited.
- Generate additional income;
- Forge strategic partnerships with other industry players; retain control over the exploitation of your patent.
A patent audit is an in-depth assessment of your patent portfolio. Our experts scrutinise each patent to assess its validity, strength, scope and consistency with your business strategy. We identify the strengths and weaknesses of your portfolio and provide you recommendations for maximising the value of your intellectual property.
A patent audit has many advantages, not least identifying your high-potential inventions and those that are not, and strengthening your protection strategies.
Patent valuation consists of financially assessing the value of your patented inventions. This valuation enables you to quantify the economic value of your intellectual property assets, attract potential investors and negotiate patent licensing or assignment agreements.
Define the filing strategy for your patent applicationFirst filing of your patent application in SwitzerlandFirst filing of your patent application in EuropeFirst filing of your PCT patent application
This strategy offers a number of advantages:
National protection : By opting for a Swiss registration, you obtain solid protection for your invention on Swiss territory. This means that your invention will be protected against any unauthorised use in Switzerland, allowing you to market your product or process with confidence in this market.
Simplified procedure :
Filing a patent application with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (IPI) is relatively straightforward, and means you can quickly obtain protection for your patent in Switzerland.
Lower initial costs : The Swiss deposit can be less expensive than international options, which can be an advantage if you have budgetary constraints at the moment.
However, it is important to note that if you plan to extend your protection to other European countries or worldwide at a later date, you will need to take into account the one-year period from the Swiss filing to initiate these procedures.
If your invention is intended to be marketed in several European countries and you want to obtain broad protection while simplifying the procedures, a first European registration may be an excellent option:
Broad territorial protection: By opting for the European patent system, your patent application will be examined and, if granted, you will obtain protection in several member countries of the European Union.
Unified procedure: The European application is submitted to the European Patent Office (EPO), allowing a unified and consistent approach to the examination and granting of the patent in the designated countries.
Controlled costs: The first European filing can be more cost-effective than individual filings in each European country, making it an attractive option for extended protection.
If your ambition is to protect your invention in a large number of countries, including outside Europe, international filing under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) is the option for you. Here are the advantages:Flexibilité géographique : The PCT offers the possibility of filing a single application that covers a large number of treaty member countries, giving you the flexibility to choose the countries in which you wish to pursue protection at a later date.
Extended deadline : PCT filing gives you 30 months from the date of first filing to decide in which specific countries you wish to obtain protection.
International Preliminary Examination (IPE) : The PCT includes an international preliminary examination phase, which gives you an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of your patent application before deciding in which countries to initiate national proceedings.
It is important to note that PCT international filing does not result in a single worldwide patent, but simplifies the procedure and offers an extended period in which to select the countries in which you wish to pursue protection.
