Kansas City Patent Attorney | Secure Patent Protection for Your Inventions

Turn Your Innovation Into a Protected Asset Worth Defending

You’ve invested months or years developing your invention. Without a patent, anyone can copy it. Competitors can reverse-engineer your product, manufacture it cheaper overseas, and undercut your market—all perfectly legal.

A patent gives you exclusive rights to make, use, and sell your invention for 20 years. You can stop copycats, license your technology for royalties, or sell the patent outright. Patents increase company valuation, attract investors, and create barriers that keep competitors out of your market.

At IPCenter, our Kansas City patent attorneys have secured hundreds of patents across technology, manufacturing, computer, industrial, mechanical and medical devices, software, and consumer products. We handle everything from initial patent searches through USPTO prosecution to enforcement when infringement occurs.

Our Patent Services

Patent Application Preparation and Filing

A well-drafted patent application determines what you can protect and whether the USPTO will grant your patent. We prepare applications strategically positioned for approval:

Comprehensive Patent Search

Before investing $10,000-$15,000 in a patent application, you need to know if someone else already patented your idea. We search federal patent databases, published applications, and international patents to identify prior art that could block your application.

Cost: $1,500-$2,500 typical, depending on technology complexity

Timeline: 1-2 weeks

Why it matters: A thorough search now prevents discovering fatal prior art after you’ve spent thousands filing.

Strategic Claims Drafting

Patent claims define exactly what you can protect. Too narrow, and competitors design around your patent easily. Too broad, and the USPTO rejects your application or your patent gets invalidated in court.

We draft claims that can:

• Cover your current invention and foreseeable variations
• Anticipate how competitors might try to circumvent your patent
• Balance breadth of protection with patentability over prior art
• Use precise legal language designed for examination by the USPTO

Detailed Written Description

The patent specification must describe your invention thoroughly enough that someone skilled in your field could build it. We work with you to:

• Document how your invention works
• Explain technical details with clarity
• Include drawings and diagrams, when necessary, showing key features
• Document your invention date for priority purposes

Proper Filing Basis Selection

We advise whether to file based on:

• Actual Use: If you’ve built and tested the invention/sold it
• Constructive Use: Use based on Filed Patent Application 
• Provisional Use: If its still in development and no prior use/filing

Each basis has different requirements and strategic implications.

Patent Prosecution and USPTO Communication

After filing, a USPTO patent examiner reviews your application and typically issues at least one office action raising objections. About 90% of applications receive rejections initially—but most can be overcome with proper responses.

Office Action Responses

When the examiner rejects claims, we respond with:

Technical arguments explaining why your invention differs from prior art cited by the examiner

Legal arguments demonstrating your invention meets novelty, non-obviousness, and written description requirements

Claim amendments narrowing scope strategically to overcome rejections while maintaining valuable protection

Examiner interviews discussing issues directly with examiners to find paths to approval

Continuation and Divisional Applications

Sometimes one invention disclosure supports multiple patents. We file:

• Continuation applications pursuing broader or different claims
• Divisional applications when examiners require splitting inventions
• Continuation-in-part applications adding new matter

Appeals

If the examiner maintains rejections, we appeal to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) with comprehensive briefs arguing why your invention deserves a patent.

Success rate: We’ve obtained allowances in over 85% of applications we prosecute, including after initial rejections.

Provisional Patent Applications

A provisional application establishes your filing date and gives you “Patent Pending” status for 12 months while you:

• Develop the invention further
• Test market viability
• Secure funding from investors
• Present at trade shows with protection

Cost: $3,500-$7,000 including attorney fees

Benefits:

• Lower initial investment than a full utility application
• One year to assess commercial potential before committing to full patent costs
• Establishes priority date against later filers
• Allows “Patent Pending” marking

Important: A provisional application does NOT become a patent. You must file a non-provisional utility application within 12 months claiming priority to the provisional, or you lose your filing date.

We prepare provisional applications with enough detail to support later non-provisional claims—many DIY provisionals lack sufficient disclosure and provide no actual benefit.

International Patent Protection

U.S. patents only protect you in the United States. If you sell internationally or competitors manufacture abroad, you need foreign patent protection.

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) Applications

File one PCT application through the USPTO to seek protection in 150+ countries. Benefits:

• Single application covers multiple countries
• 30 months to decide which countries to pursue (instead of 12 months)
• Lower initial costs than filing directly in each country
• International search report evaluating patentability

Direct Foreign Filing

For key markets like China, Europe, Japan, or South Korea, we can coordinate with vetted foreign patent attorneys to file directly in those countries.

Cost considerations: Foreign patents are expensive—$5,000-$15,000 per country. We help prioritize based on where you manufacture, sell, or face competition.

Patent Portfolio Management

As your business grows, you’ll accumulate multiple patents requiring strategic management:

Maintenance Fee Tracking

Utility patents require maintenance fees at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years after grant. Miss a deadline and your patent expires automatically.

Portfolio Strategy

We advise on:

• Which innovations warrant patent protection versus trade secret protection
• When to let patents lapse because they no longer provide business value
• How to structure portfolios to create strong defensive positions
• Opportunities to license patents for revenue

Due Diligence Support

When selling your company or raising funding, investors scrutinize patent portfolios. We prepare:

• Portfolio summaries showing patent coverage
• Opinions on patent validity and enforceability
• Competitive landscape analyses
• Valuation support for patent assets

Patent Enforcement and Litigation

Patents are only valuable if you can enforce them. When competitors infringe, we provide aggressive representation:

Infringement Investigations

We analyze whether competitors’ products or processes infringe your patent claims, including:

• Claim chart analysis mapping patent claims to accused products
• Technical expert consultations
• Reverse engineering and testing
• Evidence gathering and preservation

Cease and Desist Letters

Often infringement resolves through demand letters requiring the infringer to:

• Stop making, using, or selling the infringing product
• Pay reasonable royalties for past infringement
• Enter a licensing agreement for future use

Patent Infringement Litigation

When necessary, we can file patent infringement lawsuits in federal court seeking:

• Preliminary injunctions stopping infringement immediately
• Permanent injunctions after trial
• Damages including lost profits and reasonable royalties
• Enhanced damages (up to 3x) for willful infringement
• Attorney fees in exceptional cases

Patent Validity Defense

If you’re accused of infringement, we defend by:

• Challenging patent validity through prior art the examiner never saw
• Arguing non-infringement based on claim construction
• Filing inter partes review (IPR) at the USPTO to invalidate claims
• Negotiating licenses on reasonable terms

Understanding Patents

What Can You Patent?

U.S. patent law protects new and useful:

• Machines: Physical devices with moving parts (engines, robots, tools)
• Processes: Methods of doing something (manufacturing processes, chemical reactions, business methods with technical components)
• Manufactures: Products made by humans (consumer goods, structures, materials)
• Compositions of matter: Chemical compounds, pharmaceuticals, alloys, mixtures

What You Cannot Patent

• Abstract ideas without technical implementation
• Laws of nature and natural phenomena
• Mathematical formulas alone
• Purely mental processes without technical application
• Inventions lacking utility (practical use)

Software and business methods face extra scrutiny after recent Supreme Court decisions but can still be patented if they improve computer technology or have technical applications beyond just automating known processes.

Three Types of Patents

Utility Patents (Most Common)

Protect how inventions work and what they do. Cover new machines, processes, manufactured items, and compositions of matter.

Term: 20 years from filing date

Cost: $7,000-$20,000 including USPTO fees and attorney fees for standard complexity applications

Maintenance fees: Required at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years ($400-$7,400 per deadline)

Design Patents

Protect ornamental appearance of manufactured items—how they look, not how they work. Examples: iPhone shape, Coca-Cola bottle design, furniture appearance.

Term: 15 years from grant (no maintenance fees)

Cost: $2,000-$5,000 total

Good for: Consumer products where appearance creates brand identity

Plant Patents

Protect new plant varieties reproduced asexually (cuttings, grafts, not seeds). Rarely used except in agriculture and horticulture.

Patent Application Process: What to Expect

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Invention Disclosure

Timeline: 1-2 hours

We discuss your invention, how it works, what problems it solves, and your business goals. You’ll complete an invention disclosure form documenting:

• What’s new about your invention
• How it differs from existing products
• When you conceived and reduced it to practice
• Whether you’ve disclosed it publicly

Cost: Free initial consultation

Step 2: Patent Search and Patentability Opinion

Timeline: 1-3 weeks

We search USPTO databases, published applications, foreign patents, and technical literature to find prior art. Then we provide a written opinion on:

• Likelihood of obtaining a patent
• Potential claim scope
• Prior art that could cause problems
• Recommendations on whether to proceed

Cost: $1,500-$2,500

Step 3: Application Drafting

Timeline: 3-6 weeks

We prepare:

• Claims defining your invention’s scope
• Detailed written description and specifications
• Drawings showing key features
• Abstract and background sections

Cost: $5,000-$15,000 for standard utility patents

Step 4: USPTO Filing

Timeline: 1 day

We file electronically with the USPTO. You receive:

• Filing receipt with application number
• Official filing date establishing priority
• Ability to mark products “Patent Pending”

USPTO fees: $300-$800 depending on entity size and application type

Step 5: Patent Examination

Timeline: 12-24 months

A USPTO examiner reviews your application and typically issues at least one office action with rejections or objections.

Common rejections:

• Prior art makes invention obvious
• Claims too broad
• Insufficient written description
• Claims unclear or indefinite

We respond within usually 4-6 months with necessary arguments and amendments.

Step 6: Patent Grant

Timeline: 18-36 months total from filing

If the examiner allows your claims, you pay an issue fee ($1,000-$2,000) and the USPTO grants your patent. You receive:

• Official patent certificate
• Patent number
• Exclusive rights to make, use, and sell your invention for 20 years

What Patent Protection Gives You

Exclusive Rights

Stop anyone from making, using, or selling your invention for 20 years

Licensing Revenue

Generate royalty income by licensing your technology to others

Increased Valuation

Patents boost company value for fundraising, acquisition, or sale

Competitive Barrier

Keep competitors out of your market space legally

Start Your Patent Application

Why Choose IPCenter for Patent Services?

Technical Expertise Across Industries

Our patent attorneys have backgrounds in:

• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical and Controls engineering
• Physics, Computer science and software
• Chemistry and materials science

This technical knowledge means we understand your invention deeply, not just superficially.

Proven Track Record

We’ve secured hundreds of patents for clients including:

• Individual inventors with garage startups
• Small businesses with 2-50 employees
• Mid-size manufacturers with a variety of product lines
• Established corporations with large patent portfolios

Success rate: 85%+ allowance rate on applications we prosecute

Strategic Business Focus

We don’t just file patents—we help you build patent portfolios that support business goals:

• Protecting core products from competition
• Creating licensing revenue streams
• Increasing company valuation for fundraising or acquisition
• Establishing freedom to operate in your markets

Local Accessibility with National Reach

Kansas City based: Meet with us in person, call directly, build real relationships

National practice: We represent clients nationwide before the USPTO and in federal courts across the country

Cost advantage: Kansas City attorney rates are 30-40% lower than major coastal cities, with no reduction in quality

Transparent Pricing

We provide detailed cost estimates before starting work. No surprises, no hidden fees.

Typical costs:

• Utility patent application: $7,000-$15,000 (simple mechanical/electrical)
• Complex software/biotech: $15,000-$25,000
• Design patent: $3,000-$5,000
• Provisional application: $3,500-$7,000
• Office action response: $2,500-$5,000

Patents vs. Other IP Protection

Patents vs. Trade Secrets

Choose a patent when:

• The invention can be reverse-engineered from the product
• You want 20 years of protection
• You need to stop independent inventors from creating the same thing
• Public disclosure doesn’t harm your business

Choose trade secret protection when:

• The invention can’t be reverse-engineered (Coca-Cola formula, Google algorithm)
• You can keep it secret indefinitely
• You don’t want to publicly disclose how it works
• Patent costs aren’t justified by the invention’s value

Many businesses use both: Patent innovations competitors could figure out, keep as trade secrets what they can’t.

Patents vs. Trademarks

Patents protect inventions. Trademarks protect brand names and logos.

You likely need both:

• Patent protects your product’s functionality
• Trademark protects your product’s name and brand identity

Patents vs. Copyrights

Patents protect functional inventions. Copyrights protect creative expression (books, music, software code, artwork).

Software gets both:

• Copyright protects the source code as written
• Patents can protect the technical functionality if it meets patentability requirements

Industries We Serve

Our Kansas City patent attorneys have secured patents across diverse industries:

• Technology & Software: Mobile apps, SaaS platforms, algorithms, cybersecurity
• Medical Devices: Surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, implantable devices
• Manufacturing: Production equipment, tools, assembly processes
• Consumer Products: Household goods, toys, sporting equipment
• Agricultural Technology: Farming equipment, crop processing, precision agriculture
• Automotive: Vehicle components, safety systems, electric vehicle technology
• Biotechnology: Diagnostic methods, lab equipment
• Food & Beverage: Processing equipment, packaging innovations, preparation methods
• Clean Technology: Solar, wind, battery systems, energy efficiency

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a patent?

Most utility patent applications take 18-30 months from filing to grant for straightforward inventions. Complex technologies (software, biotech, pharmaceuticals) can take 3-5 years.

You can use “Patent Pending” status immediately after filing, which provides some deterrent effect even before the patent grants.

Expedited examination programs can reduce timeline to 12 months but cost an additional $2,000-$4,000 in USPTO fees.

How much does a patent cost?

Utility patents: $7,000-$20,000 total including:

• Patent search: $1,500-$2,500
• Application drafting and filing: $4,000-$12,000
• USPTO filing fees: $400-$1,600
• Office action responses: $2,500-$5,000 (if needed)
• Issue fee: $1,000-$2,000

Design patents: $3,000-$5,000 total

Provisional applications: $3,500-$7,000

Maintenance fees: $1,600-$7,400 at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years (utility patents only)

Costs vary based on invention complexity and how many office actions the examiner issues.

Typical Patent Cost Breakdown

Can I file a patent application myself?

Legally, yes. Practically, it’s rarely advisable.

USPTO statistics show DIY applications have:

• Much higher rejection rates
• Weaker claims that are easier for competitors to design around
• More likelihood of abandonment due to missed deadlines
• Greater chance of invalidation if litigated

Patent law is highly technical. Minor drafting errors can render patents worthless. A poorly written patent is often worse than no patent—you’ve disclosed your invention publicly without meaningful protection.

What’s the difference between a provisional and non-provisional patent?

A provisional application:

• Establishes your filing date for 12 months
• Allows “Patent Pending” status
• Does NOT become a patent
• Costs less initially ($3,500-$7,000)
• You must file a non-provisional application within 12 months or lose priority

A non-provisional (utility) application:

• Undergoes full USPTO examination
• Can mature into an issued patent
• Costs more ($7,000-$15,000+)
• Establishes your 20-year patent term

Strategy: File provisional first to secure your filing date while you test market interest. If the product succeeds, file the non-provisional application. If it fails, you only spent $3,500-$7,000 instead of $7,000-$15,000.

Can I patent software or mobile apps?

Yes, but it’s difficult.

Software patents must:

• Improve computer technology (faster processing, less memory, better security)
• Solve a technical problem, not just automate a known process
• Involve more than just an abstract idea implemented on a computer

Many software patents still get approved if properly framed to emphasize technical improvements.

Do I need a patent attorney or can I use a patent agent?

Both patent attorneys and patent agents can prepare and file patent applications with the USPTO.

Patent agents:

• Technical degree + passed patent bar exam
• Can prepare applications and communicate with USPTO
• Cannot provide legal advice or represent you in court

Patent attorneys:

• Everything agents can do PLUS:
• Law degree + patent bar
• Prepare and file patent applications
• Provide legal advice on licensing, enforcement, infringement
• Represent you in patent litigation
• Advise on broader IP strategy

Recommendation: Use a patent attorney if you want strategy and help in licensing, selling, or enforcing your patents. The legal advice and litigation capability justifies the slightly higher cost.

What happens if someone infringes my patent?

You can:

1. Send a cease and desist letter demanding they stop
2. Negotiate a licensing agreement allowing continued use for royalties
3. File a patent infringement lawsuit in federal court

If you win in court, you can get:

• Injunction ordering them to stop infringing
• Damages for your lost profits
• Reasonable royalties for their use
• Enhanced damages (up to 3x) for willful infringement
• Attorney fees if the case is exceptional

Patent litigation is expensive ($500,000-$3,000,000+) but can result in substantial recoveries and elimination of competitors.

Protect Your Innovation Today

Your invention represents years of work and significant investment. Without patent protection, competitors can copy it legally, undercutting your market and stealing your opportunity.

A patent gives you exclusive rights for 20 years, stops copycats, attracts investors, and creates valuable business assets that can be licensed or sold.

Don’t wait. The U.S. operates on a first-to-file system—whoever files first gets the patent, even if someone else invented it first.

Call (816) 363-1555 or schedule a consultation online to discuss patent protection for your invention.

Additional Patent Resources

• Provisional vs. Utility Patents: Understanding the difference and when to use each
• Patent Search: Conduct preliminary patent investigations/searches 
• Patent vs. Trade Secret: Deciding which protection strategy fits your business

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Patent law is complex and fact-specific. Consult a patent attorney for guidance specific to your invention.

IPCenter | Kansas City Patent Attorneys

We turn innovations into protected assets. From initial patent searches through USPTO prosecution to enforcement against infringers, we provide comprehensive patent services for inventors and businesses across Kansas City and nationwide.