The unfortunate truth is that the average pendency time for a patent application to issue into a patent over past few years is about 3 years. Also, this can depend on the type of invention such as a simple mechanical or a complex business method, with the latter typically taking the longest. However, the good news is that this pendency period can be dramatically reduced by incorporating the USPTO’s accelerated examination or “Track 1” procedures. As a patent attorney dallas I usually tell me clients about this option during our consultation. If the accelerated examination or Track 1 option is chosen, we generally receive a first office action within about 6 months from filing the patent application. The downside with the expedited examination is that we don’t get as my rounds with the Examiner on making amendments to the claims of the patent application. Generally, we will need to appease the Examiner after the first office action rejection in order to get an allowance on the patent application if we want it issued within a year. But the upside is that you can obtain a patent in a very short amount of time, particularly in technologies that rapidly change every year and it is important to obtain a patent as soon as possible. Here, every situation can be different and a balancing act. As a patent lawyer dallas I try to advise the best course of action for my clients that will provide the best protection for their inventions in the shortest amount of time. Contact me today for a free consultation for all your patent and trademark needs.