Patenting is requesting legal protection for your invention or product design, preventing others from copying it or profiting from it without your permission. Many people are interested but don't know what to prepare, or how long it takes. This article summarizes it all in one place.
How many types of patents are there?
Thailand splits protection into 3 main types. An Invention Patent protects a new invention with a high inventive step, with a 20-year protection term. A Petty Patent protects an invention that is new but doesn't need as high an inventive step, with a 6-year term, renewable twice for 2 years each, up to a maximum of 10 years — easier to get and granted faster. A Design Patent protects the shape, pattern, or color of a product, with a 10-year protection term.
Steps to Register a Patent
- Check that your invention is new, and hasn't been disclosed anywhere before (Novelty Search)
- Prepare documents: the patent application, description of the invention, claims, an abstract of the invention, and drawings (if any)
- File the application with the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP)
- The examiner checks the application's accuracy (Formality Examination)
- The application is published, opening a window for third parties to file an opposition
- Examination of the invention (Substantive Examination) — for invention patents only
- The patent is registered and the certificate is issued
How long does it take?
This is the question people ask most. The answer depends on the type: a petty patent takes about 6 months to 1 year, because there's no in-depth examination step. A design patent takes about 1-2 years. An invention patent takes the longest, averaging 3-5 years, because it must pass in-depth examination by an examiner. The timeframes given are the Department of Intellectual Property's averages — each application may be faster or slower, depending on the complexity of the invention and the volume of applications the Department is handling at the time.
Documents to Prepare
ID card or company registration (for a corporate entity), a full description of the invention explaining how it works, how it's used, and its advantages over existing solutions, drawings or sketches (if available), and a power of attorney (if a patent agent files on your behalf).
Roughly How Much Does It Cost?
Government fees plus our service fee, which vary by type of application and the complexity of the invention. Consult a patent agent for an accurate price estimate based on your actual work.
Why Use a Patent Agent
Even a small mistake in drafting the claims can make the scope of protection too narrow — letting others legally work around it — or too broad, leading to refusal. An experienced patent agent will check for novelty upfront, draft comprehensive documents, and track progress with the Department throughout the process.
Patent To You offers full-service patent and trademark registration, and copyright notification, with patent agents and lawyers who have more than 10 years of experience handling everything from novelty checks, drafting documents, and filing, through to receiving the certificate. Free consultation before you decide.
Call 082-995-4454, 085-351-7977, or add us on LINE — we're happy to answer questions every day, 09:00–18:00.