You can have all the information in the world and still be blindsided by a few simple questions. The questions you’ll be asked with a patent application will vary depending on what kind of patent you want. If you have a patent lawyer they can give you a pretty good idea of what to expect based on their experience as well. In any case, this should prepare you to provide all the answers that the Patent and Trademark office want.
On the application you will be asked numerous questions. Some may be expected; others will not. You will be asked the title of your invention, so if you don’t have one you might want to think one up. You will need to provide information on any related patents you may have applied for or are considering applying for. The patent examiner will probably ask you for a statement regarding any federally sponsored research or other research data you may have.
The background of your invention will be asked about on the application and likely by the patent examiner. This should include what kind of problem you want to solve and the market your invention is intended toward. Also, if you didn’t include any drawings of the invention with the patent application, you will be asked for them at a later date.
There’s a slight difference in the questions and information asked for on the Design patent, but mostly they will be similar to the utility patent described in the previous paragraphs. With a design patent you be asked to provide a “feature description.” This is basically a written description of the invention that should be geared toward things not easily seen in the drawings or pictures. Also a design patent application will ask you for a single claim. A claim is a statement on what you want to protect in the patent, this is very important and you will be asked for clarification on it several times.
With a plant patent application again many of the questions asked of you will be similar with a few variations. Instead of asking for a description of the item’s function you’ll be asked for a complete description of your plant and exactly how it’s distinctive to other known plants. Although it’s asked for on the application, expect the patent examiner to ask as well. In addition to a common title you’ll be asked for the Latin name of the plant including the genus and species. If it’s not detailed in the patent application, you will be asked for all of the possible variations within your plant species.
These are the most common questions that you will need the answers to during the patent application process. Obviously there may be a curveball thrown at you here and there but this is a good place to start. With any luck this will speed you on your way to having a patented invention.