Patent rejections are so common that nearly 86% of patent applications receive at least one rejection before getting approved (USPTO, 2023).
It is frustrating, right? These rejected patent applications lead to:
- Many inventors and businesses abandoning their applications due to repeated rejections.
- High legal costs.
- The back-and-forth process of office actions (rejections and responses), delaying patent grants.
- Startups and businesses relying on patents for funding or competitive advantage facing delays in securing investment.
From common reasons for patent rejection, such as prior art conflicts to patent application mistakes, many issues can derail the process.
But in most cases, the problem starts way before the application stage. It starts with a weak or incomplete invention disclosure.
So, what if you could be preventing patent rejection at the invention disclosure stage itself?
A solid invention disclosure process ensures that ideas are thoroughly documented, well-explained, and patent-ready.
In this blog, we’ll dive into:
- Why patents get rejected?
- Why invention disclosures get stuck?
- How to streamline invention disclosure?
- How fixing bottlenecks early can prevent patent rejections?
The Reasons Why Patents Get Rejected & What You Can Do About It
Understanding why patents get rejected is the first step ‘cause they are just random bad luck. They happen for specific reasons and until you understand the reasons, they appear over and over again.
#1 Lack of Novelty (Prior Art Conflicts)
News flash: Your idea is not as “new” as you think.
Many inventors submit their applications assuming they’ve come up with an inventive and original idea.
This assumption leads to the #1 reason patents get rejected–Prior Art rejection.
The solution is simple, perform a prior art search during the invention disclosure stage and document it in your invention disclosure form. This leads to saving a ton of time and money.
#2 Obviousness (Failure to Show Inventive Step)
You need to be aware whether your application is too vague or too complicated.
A good patent application tells a really good story with just the right amount of detail.
Too vague? The examiner will reject it for lack of clarity. Too complicated? They’ll say it’s “indefinite.”
Essentially, patent applications often fail due to obviousness, meaning the invention is considered an obvious improvement of existing solutions.
In fact, In 2023, 35% of rejected patent applications cited “lack of clarity” as a key reason (USPTO Annual Report, 2023).
That means one in three patents fail because they weren’t explained properly!
Fix: Ensure the invention disclosure vs patent application highlights technical differentiators and includes detailed supporting data.
#3 Insufficient Detail in the Invention Disclosure
A weak invention disclosure directly leads to a poorly drafted patent application, increasing rejection risks.
Short and simple.
Improve your invention disclosure best practices by adding technical diagrams, market impact analysis, and problem-solving evidence.
Or, go digital and latest tech with Responsible AI: Let’s brainstorm for 30 minutes.
Why Invention Disclosures Get Stuck and How to Fix It?
Common invention disclosure challenges slow down the patenting process. Here’s why they get stuck and how to fix invention disclosure bottlenecks:
#1 Lack of a Defined Process
Inventors and paperwork do not mix very well. They aren’t patent experts, and on top of it, most companies don’t have a streamlined invention disclosure process.
That leads to delays, confusion, and incomplete forms.
A 2023 study found that 62% of R&D teams delay invention disclosures because they aren’t sure about the process (Harvard Business Review, 2023).
That means tons of great ideas get stuck before they even reach the patent stage.
Essentially, without a structured invention disclosure process, inventors don’t know where to start.
Tried-and-tested Solution: Implement invention disclosure software that provides structured templates, submission tracking, and automated reminders.
#2 Lack of Cross-Team Collaboration
When inventors, R&D, and legal teams don’t communicate effectively, critical technical details can be lost or misinterpreted.
This often leads to incomplete or unclear invention disclosures, increasing the likelihood of rejections and office actions from the patent office.
Additionally, poor collaboration can result in duplicate efforts, misaligned priorities, and missed filing deadlines.
Implement an invention disclosure management system to centralize communication and ensure all stakeholders are aligned.
These tools enable real-time updates, structured feedback loops, and transparent tracking of an invention’s journey—from idea generation to patent filing.
By integrating such systems, companies can reduce errors, improve the quality of disclosures, and enhance overall patent approval rates.
#3 Lengthy Review & Approval Cycles
The longer it takes to review and approve an invention disclosure internally, the greater the risk of losing a competitive edge.
Lengthy approval times can lead to missed filing windows, allowing competitors to file first or making the innovation publicly available, which could impact patentability.
Moreover, slow processes can discourage inventors from submitting new ideas, stifling innovation within an organization.
Streamline the patent disclosure process with an integrated invention disclosure form (IDF) system that allows inventors, managers, and legal teams to collaborate efficiently.
These digital forms enable quick internal reviews, automatic reminders for pending approvals, and seamless tracking of an invention’s status.
Advanced solutions also include AI-driven analysis to flag potential patentability issues early, ensuring higher-quality disclosures and faster decision-making.
How to Avoid Patent Rejection with a Strong Invention Disclosure?
The key to how to avoid patent rejection is ensuring your invention disclosure is detailed, strategic, and legally sound. Here’s a step-by-step approach:
- Run a thorough prior art search before filing your invention disclosure. It’ll save you from rejection heartbreak later.
- Use a standardized invention disclosure form to ensure no critical details are missing.
- Describe your invention in a way that a non-expert can understand. Confusing descriptions lead to rejection.
- Involve your IP team early—don’t wait until the last minute to review your invention disclosure.
- Define Clear Evaluation Criteria – Rank disclosures based on feasibility and patentability.
- Use invention disclosure software to track and streamline submissions. This reduces the chance of losing good ideas.
In Conclusion
A rejected patent cost time and most of all it cost millions in lost innovation.
Improving your invention disclosure process is not a step you can miss if you want to:
- prevent rejections,
- accelerate patent approvals,
- secure stronger IP protection.
So, if you’re struggling with IP challenges, investing in the right innovation management strategy makes all the difference.
The key steps, like fixing invention disclosure bottlenecks, you take now mean the difference between rejection and a granted patent.
Ready to make sure your ideas get the protection they deserve? Let’s talk!
