As a budding software tech startup in India, we’re eager to protect our innovations with patents. We’d love to know the ins and outs of filing for patents in both India and the US, particularly focusing on streamlining the process to get our applications moving quickly. What are the key steps involved in each country, and how can we ensure a smooth journey?

In India, you’ll need to file a provisional patent application followed by a complete specification within 12 months. In the US, you can file a provisional application for 12 months to get an early filing date, then a non-provisional application with a detailed description. In both countries, clear and concise documentation, including detailed descriptions of the invention and its functionalities, are crucial for a smooth process.