How to File a Patent Disclosure

1). Review the guide to filing a design patent application and determine if your application is sufficient in it's current form. If you send the patent disclosure to the patent office without the rest of the patent application, your request will be denied.
2). Assess and review information regarding the fees applicable to your patent (see Resources). The fees are very high for an application and may total more than $1,000. Maintenance fees are also due at 3.5, 7.5 and 11.5 years after the patent is filed.
3). File your patent online (see Resources). Create an account with EFS-Web and fill out an application.
4). Pay all fees. Remember to budget for future maintenance fees.