FYI - It's been my experience that it normally takes a couple of years to patent issueance from the date of application.
I have 4 patents issued and 1 recently applied for.
Also, it seems that the patent examiner isn't doing his job if he doesn't reject the application ('cause he really didn't understand the invention well) a couple of times ... and after each time, your lawyer has to come back to you for the response to the rejection... and after you respond .. you wait... and then it goes on like that a couple of times until the examiner finally catches on as to what it is you're applying for ... and understands the existing stuff that's out there.... and then issues it.
Understand that I'm in a rather specialized field ... and it takes time to get the examiner up to speed.
I don't see this type of time frame for the process to be a problem. Actually, it could be a help, because as long as the application is in a pending mode, it keeps the contents private and confidential. That's fine with me. Also, after filing, the product can be talked about, and sold.
However, in a couple of my patents, I still don't publically describe how the invention works. Note the silence of our NVEI team... I like their silence when a Non-Disclosure Agreement is not in place.
Ben
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