How to file a patent: A step-by-step guide to using an AI-first patent service

In today's fast-paced innovation landscape, traditional patent filing processes can no longer keep up with the speed of technological advancement. As a CTO or CEO, you need a patent strategy that matches your innovation tempo. Not one that slows you down with delays and opaque processes.

At Lightbringer, we've revolutionised how companies build and manage their patent portfolios. Our recent webinar with European Patent Attorney Andrew Stentiford (20+ years experience, former Head of IP at Maersk) demonstrated exactly how modern patent filing should work. Here's your complete step-by-step guide.

Watch the complete product demonstration in the video above to see these steps in action.

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Why traditional patent services fall short for growing tech companies

The traditional patent process forces inventors into a frustrating cycle:

• Schedule meetings with patent attorneys
• Explain inventions in lengthy sessions
• Wait weeks for draft applications
• Exchange multiple revision rounds
• Lose visibility into progress
• Struggle with competitor analysis

For fast-moving tech companies, this approach creates dangerous gaps in IP protection and wastes valuable R&D resources.

Step 1: Describe your invention using an AI-first service

Instead of lengthy attorney meetings, Lightbringer's service guides you through a structured invention disclosure process. The platform uses AI to help you:

• Identify key technical elements of your invention
• Highlight patentable aspects you might miss
• Generate comprehensive technical descriptions
• Ensure all critical details are captured

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Step 2: Leverage Attorney-led patent drafting and filing

Once your invention is described, the Lightbringer attorney team and AI-powered platform work in the following way:

1. Initial patent drafts are provided based on the details of your invention
2. Experienced patent attorneys review drafts and refine the application
3. The platform facilitates rapid iteration between inventors and attorneys
4. The patent application is filed at the patent office

Speed advantage: What traditionally takes weeks now happens in days, with full transparency into each stage.

Step 3: Monitor progress with real-time patent intelligence

Traditional patent services leave you in the dark about application status. Lightbringer provides:

• Live application tracking with current examination status
• Automated deadline monitoring with proactive alerts
• Attorney activity logs showing exactly what work is being performed
• Milestone celebrations as your applications progress through the patent office

Step 4: Set up your virtual patent department dashboard

An important step in modern patent portfolio building is establishing complete visibility into your patent process. Lightbringer's platform provides a comprehensive task management system that functions like your favorite project management tool, but specifically designed for patent workflows.

What you'll see immediately:

• All pending tasks requiring your attention
• Automated timeline showing upcoming deadlines for the next 12 months
• Real-time progress tracking for all applications
• Clear action items for inventors and stakeholders

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Step 5: Analyse your patents and competitive landscape

Lightbringer's Insights tool transforms how you understand your IP position:

Patent analysis features:

• AI-powered analysis of your patent applications and granted patents
• Strength assessments for individual patents
• Portfolio gap identification
• Strategic recommendations for future filings

Competitive Intelligence:

• Weekly or monthly competitor monitoring reports
• AI-curated summaries highlighting the most important competitor patents
• Analysis of how competitor activity affects your IP strategy
• Alerts when competitors file in your technology areas

Step 6: Scale your patent operations

As your company grows, Lightbringer scales with you:

• Team collaboration tools for distributed R&D teams
• Budget tracking for patent investments across projects
• Portfolio strategy planning aligned with business objectives

The ROI of modern patent filing

Companies using Lightbringer's AI-powered patent platform typically see:

• 50-70% reduction in time from invention to filing
• Complete transparency into patent costs and timelines
• Enhanced patent quality through AI-assisted drafting and analysis
• Strategic competitive intelligence previously requiring expensive consulting engagements
• Reduced legal costs through efficient platform-based workflows

Getting Started: From traditional to transformed

For CTOs: Lightbringer integrates seamlessly with your existing R&D workflows, providing your engineering teams with self-service patent capabilities while maintaining professional attorney oversight.

For CEOs: Our service functions as your virtual patent department, providing the strategic IP capabilities of companies 10x your size at a fraction of the cost.

Implementation is simple:

1. Start with a free Lightbringer account and submit your first innovation
2. Book a personalised demo of Lightbringer
3. Begin filing your first patent application within days

Why patent strategy matters more than ever in 2025

In an AI-driven economy, intellectual property serves as both competitive moat and business asset. Companies with strong, well-managed patent portfolios:

• Attract higher valuations from investors
• Negotiate better partnership terms
• Defend against competitive threats
• Create licensing revenue streams
• Enable successful exits

The question isn't whether you need a patent strategy - it's whether your patent strategy matches the speed of your innovation.

Next steps

Ready to transform your patent filing process? Lightbringer's AI-powered platform represents the right way to do patent services in 2025. Our customers consistently describe the experience as having a virtual patent department that scales with their growth.

Take action today:

• Watch our complete product demo webinar
• Book a strategy session with our team
• Start your first patent application this week

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