Apply for a patent
Prepare your application
A patent application must include:
- a description of your invention that allows others to see how it works and how it could be made
- legal statements that set out the technical features of your invention (that are to be protected (known as ‘claims’)
- a summary of all the important technical aspects of your invention (known as the ‘abstract’)
There are rules on what these documents must include and how they must be presented. You may have to amend documents that are not prepared correctly.
Find out how to prepare your description, claims and abstract.
You can also include any drawings you need to illustrate your description.
You cannot change your invention once you file your initial application, for example by adding completely new features.
If you make a mistake or miss something out your application could be rejected and you may not be able to apply for the same invention again.
A patent attorney can help you prepare your documents.