How to prepare a patent application: practical advice from USI Transfer

Drafting a patent application is a fundamental step in protecting and exploiting an invention. A clear, complete, and well-structured document directly determines the strength and scope of the patent's protection.

Writing a patent is not the same as writing a scientific article or paper, where the best data is selected to build a narrative. A patent is a legal document whose purpose is to define the invention as precisely and as fully as possible, establishing what third parties cannot make, use, or market without authorisation.

There are several aspects to consider when drafting a patent, including what to include and which images and technical drawings to select to support the description.

Although a patent attorney will draft the final application, the quality and completeness of the information provided by the inventor directly determine how robust, defensible, and broad the patent's protection will be.

To clarify the content and prevent potential misunderstandings, USI Transfer, the University's technology transfer office, has created two specific documents for the IT (software and AI) and biotech fields. These guides compile recommendations and useful information for USI researchers as they draft a patent application.

Are you an inventor in need of help drafting a patent?
Please refer to the USI Transfer guidelines:

• Vademecum for inventors on how to prepare a patent application (BIOTECH)
• Vademecum for inventors on how to prepare a patent application (SOFTWARE and AI)

The documents are available on the USI Transfer website on the page: Key documents for our researchers

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