Applying for a patent in the Netherlands is a formal process that provides protection for your invention. During this process, the support of a patent attorney is not an obligation, but it certainly ensures that everything runs smoothly and no issues are overlooked. The application process goes through several steps that we briefly explain here.

Before applying, it is wise to check whether your invention already exists. You do this by consulting available patent databases, such as Espacenet. This is available to everyone free of charge. This prevents you from investing time and money in something that is already protected. This search process is specialist work and help from a patent information specialist is actually indispensable. But often it can already help to search yourself and discuss this information with a patent attorney.

If it appears that there is a good chance that the invention is patentable, drafting a clear and detailed description of your invention can begin. This application should explain how your invention works and what makes it new and inventive. Drawings can help clarify your description and make it understandable.

The next step is to submit your application to, for example, the Netherlands Patent Office. After you have submitted the application, the Patent Office checks whether it is formally in order. This means that no substantive assessment takes place. It only checks whether all the necessary documents have been submitted.

An examination is then carried out to see if your invention is actually new and meets the conditions for patent granting. After 18 months, your patent application is published. This makes your application visible to the public, even if the patent has not yet been granted.

If you want international protection, you can apply to the European Patent Office (EPO) or through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). These proceedings do test content. A patent attorney can provide valuable advice and support here.

Still have a question about this, contact please feel free to contact us. We are here to help you. We like to do that and do it well!