Patent application
Innovation deserves protection.
A patent, also known as a patent, gives you the exclusive right to prohibit others from using, producing or commercialising your invention, for a maximum of 20 years. This way you keep a technical advantage that others cannot easily overtake.
At IFORI, we help you to protect and strategically deploy your inventions. This gives you legal certainty, a faster path to market, and avoids unnecessary risks and delays.
Who is this page interesting for?
A strong patent strategy is important for any innovative organization. The concrete implementation differs per phase and per type of company.
For innovative large companies and organizations
- Protection of new inventions
- Maintenance and optimization of existing patents
- Clarity on what is and isn’t patentable
- Understanding legal and commercial risks at market launch
For start-ups and spin-offs
- Formulating an optimal IP strategy during fundraising
- Protecting your critical technology assets
- Determining legal and commercial risks
For scale-ups & R&D teams
- Structure and strategy to support growth
- A stronger portfolio for international expansion
- Efficient and future-oriented IP planning
From uncertainty to certainty.
Innovative companies often run into the same questions: is my product sufficiently protected? Can I launch safely? How do I prevent competitors from running off with it?
IFORI assesses, protects and strengthens your inventions with a strategic patent and IP approach.
From an initial feasibility check to the protection and defence of your innovation. The result: time savings, certainty and a clear route to the market.
What do we do concretely?
- Screening your invention and patent potential
- Freedom-to-Operate (FTO) research
- Drafting and filing of patent applications
- Strategic portfolio advice (BE / NL / Europe / international)
- Protection of technical designs
- Active follow-up of your patent applications and management of your IP portfolio
How do we proceed (in 5 steps)?
- Exploratory meeting
- Analysis & screening of invention and risks
- Advice & strategic IP plan
- Drafting and filing the patent application
- Follow-up, extension and possible expansion
Are you unsure whether your invention can be protected?
Schedule an advice call, or ask us your question right away.
Why IFORI?
- Specialized in patents and technical innovations
- Legal and strategic expertise in one team
- Fast, accessible and pragmatic
- Focus on growth, valorisation and risk management
Frequently asked questions
Is my invention patentable?
That depends on several factors. At its core, your invention must be new, inventive and technically applicable. With a thorough assessment, we quickly map out whether patent protection is possible and strategically useful.
How long does patent litigation take?
The duration of a patent procedure differs per situation, but in general the following applies:
- Granting of the patent: depending on the type of patent and the procedure chosen, this takes an average of 2 to 5 years.
- Filing of the application: a patent application can be filed immediately after drafting. The assessment date is set upon submission.
- Initial assessment: You will usually receive an initial report from the patent granting authority on the patentability of your invention within 6 to 10 months of filing.
How much does a patent cost?
That depends on where and how broadly you want protection. Two things determine the cost: our work, and the official fees of the patent granting authority. A national application (Belgium or the Netherlands) is cheaper than a European application, which covers several countries, translations and conservation through the EPA. For a European patent, you can also opt for a central grant, which reduces the maintenance costs.
In addition, you pay annual renewal fees to keep the patent valid, up to a maximum of 20 years. These increase as the patent gets older and differ from country to country.
Because every file is different, we do not put an amount on the site. In the advice call, we calculate the total cost for your situation, including taxes, and only then do you decide.
What if someone copies my invention?
Without a patent, action is often difficult. With a granted patent, you can take action, for example by:
- formally address the infringer
- to demand a ban on further exploitation
- claim damages
Therefore, a timely patent strategy is crucial. Possible infringement scenarios can also be taken into account before it is granted. For example:
- warning the infringer on the basis of the patent application;
- amendments to the text to make the infringement even clearer;
- possibly take effective action after granting if the infringement has not yet been stopped.
When do I choose a patent vs. secrecy?
Patent: suitable for technical, commercially valuable inventions that can be copied or overtaken by third parties. A patent gives an exclusive right, but requires disclosure.
Confidentiality: suitable for knowledge and innovation that is not easy to trace (e.g. processes or algorithms) and can remain secret for a long time. There is no exclusive right, but there is protection as long as the information remains secret.
In practice, a combination of both is most effective: patents for nuclear technology, secrecy for know-how around it.
Schedule a free consultation call now.
Protect what you develop and get more out of your innovation.
Or ask us your question right away
Briefly describe your situation. We look at them and let you know what is possible, without obligation.