How long does the patent process take?
You’re dealing with bureaucrats and you’re dealing with federal bureaucrats and they really know how to take their time. A patent application, the maximum life of a patent is 20 years, but the clock starts ticking down once you file, and so the real question is just that, how long does it take to get a patent? And so in my experience of 38 years, I would sell you that one year is lightning fast to get a patent. Two years is a little fast. Three years is about average. Four years is a little slow. If it takes three years for the patent to issue, your patent lasts 17 years, so you know, you’ve got to be ready for the long-haul if you’re going to get involved with patents.
