Patent App Idea

To patent an App idea in the UK, Australia or Canada is a lengthy process – a process that typically takes 4-5 years, whereafter who cares anymore? That’s why Uber and Waze focussed on getting a “Patent Pending Number”.

Uber kept its App “patent” pending for 9 long years – a period of uncertainty sufficiently long to enable Uber to create an Empire. Waze did the same for 6 years. During the “Patent Pending” period, competitors’ and funders were effectively deterred from developing and launching a competing App.

Uber App Idea PatentUber App Idea Patent Pending

Facebook viewed App patents slightly differently. When Facebook launched, it had no patents. But, just before listing on the Nasdaq, Facebook bought 7,500 App patents. Why? To give investors the impression of a “barrier to entry”, and thereby to increase the IPO share price.

Facebook App Idea PatentFacebook App Idea Patent Pending

Guitar Hero was admittedly a little cheeky: they patented a feature that doesn’t even exist in the commercial version of their App … merely to be able to claim “Patent Pending”.

Guitar Hero App Idea PatentGuitar Hero App Idea Patent Pending

For Apps, the “deterrence and marketing value” of a “Patent Pending Number” (where the scope of the patent is unclear) is typically far more valuable than the “protection value” of a “granted patent” (where the scope of the patent claim has been crystallised). That’s why Google abandoned the Waze App patent immediately after acquiring the company – the patent had “done its job”, and its negligible protection value no longer justified the cost of maintaining the App patent in force.

Waze App Idea Patent

The best example of this is the Uber App patent: during the 9-year “Patent Pending” period, everyone guessed what Uber’s patent covered. Today, we all know that to circumvent the Uber App patent, all a competing ride hailing App needs to do is …

Remove the map from the screen when submitting a transport request.

… Competitors may freely display the map before and after submitting the request, but not “concurrently”, and all other features of the Uber App may be copied.

To get a worldwide “Patent Pending Number” for an App idea is quick, easy and surprisingly affordable. Simply:

  • describe the new feature / method step in your App idea using our patent template;
  • complete the Iptica online App patent application form; and
  • Pay only $99 by credit card.

Also see our easy DIY provisional patent drafting and filing guide.

The process takes only a few minutes. And, within a day you’ll receive a “Patent Pending Number” that will last for 12 months.

App Idea Patent UK

Latest Specials
  • EU Design Registration

    Only $625

    Learn more
  • File provisional patent

    Only $199

    Learn more
  • Patent Pending Number

    Only $199

    Learn more
  • Online SA design filing

    Only $299

    Learn more
  • Register a Trademark in South Africa

    R4,090 + vat

    Learn more
  • Online SA trademark filing

    Only $199

    Learn more
  • Trademark search

    R2,500 + vat

    Learn More
  • Save up to 70% on renewal fees

    Save up to 70% on patent renewal fees / annuities by paying them online

    Learn more

Get started with the patent process

Get in touch

Contact us

Intangible Consulting (Pty) Ltd
9 Kruger St
Oaklands
Johannesburg
South Africa

T +27 (0)11 483 1439
T +27 (0)11 483 3128 (alt.)
info@ideanav.co.za