Frequently Asked Questions

• Idea Explorer (Free – for early-stage individuals): Suitable for users who are beginning their innovation journey. This plan allows you to securely capture and organize your ideas without the need to file a patent immediately.
  
  
• Innovator (For individual inventors): Designed for solo inventors who are ready to file a provisional patent. It includes AI-powered tools, templates, and guided support for preparing and submitting applications.
  
  
• Professional (For startups and small teams): Ideal for collaborative innovation, includes three collaborator accounts and one patent filing in addition to tools provided in the innovator plan
   
• Enterprise (For larger organisations): Built for companies managing multiple inventions and teams. Includes five collaborator accounts, three patent filings and offers enterprise-level tools including user management, patent portfolio tracking, and advanced collaboration features.

You can view a detailed breakdown of all available plans on our Pricing Page.

To update your payment method, you'll need to access your ClearIP account through the web app (this cannot be done through the mobile app). Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your ClearIP account on a web browser.

2. Click your Profile icon and go to Account Settings.

3. Select the Billing tab.

4. Under Payment Information, click Edit to update your credit card or payment method.

5. Enter the new details and save — changes are applied automatically.

Your updated payment method will be used for all future transactions.

To cancel your plan, you'll need to access your ClearIP account through the web app (this cannot be done through the mobile app). Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your ClearIP account on a web browser.
2. Click your Profile icon and go to Account Settings.
3. Select the Billing tab.
4. Select Cancel Subscription. Your plan will remain active until the end of your current billing cycle, after which your account will revert to the free Idea Explorer plan. Your data will remain secure and accessible.

 

All features listed in your ClearIP subscription plan are fully included in the price you pay there are no hidden platform fees.

However, keep in mind that government fees related to patent filing and maintenance are not included, as these are charged separately by external patent offices such as the USPTO or EPO. These may include costs for filing, examination, renewal, and other official actions.

Additionally, if you work with external patent attorneys, translators, or other IP professionals, their services will be billed separately.

Yes. ClearIP reserves the right to update its subscription pricing as the platform evolves. Any pricing changes will be communicated in advance, giving users ample time to review and adjust their plans if needed.

Please note that changes in third-party government fees (e.g., from the USPTO, EPO, or other patent offices) may occur independently of ClearIP’s pricing and are outside of our control. These fees are set by external authorities and may change without notice.

If a payment attempt is unsuccessful, follow these steps:

• Check your card: Ensure your card is active, has sufficient funds, and supports both international and recurring transactions.

• Review your billing information: Log in to your ClearIP account and confirm that your billing details are accurate and up to date.

• Try a different method: If the issue persists, consider using a different payment method or browser.

If you continue to experience issues, please contact us at support@clearip.ai for further assistance.

Note: If you subscribed through a third-party platform, please reach out to them directly to resolve any billing issues.

No. Due to the nature of intellectual property services, payments are non-refundable once document generation or filing has begun. This includes any activity related to patent drafting, analysis, or submission.

We strongly recommend reviewing your plan selection and confirming all details before completing your purchase.

If you believe you’ve been charged in error, such as being billed twice or being charged for a plan that should be free, please contact us at support@clearip.ai as soon as possible.

Be sure to include:

• The email associated with your ClearIP account

• A description of the issue

• Any relevant billing receipts or transaction IDs

Our team will promptly investigate and correct any mistaken charges. If an error is confirmed, a refund will be issued.

No. Your ideas are private and secure by default. ClearIP team members can only access your ideas if you explicitly grant permission, for instance, when requesting expert feedback or support.

All ClearIP personnel operate under strict confidentiality agreements and undergo training to ensure your intellectual property is always handled with discretion and care.

ClearIP uses the advanced security protocols to protect your data:

• Encryption: Your data is encrypted both in transit (TLS/SSL) and at rest.

• Secure infrastructure: All information is hosted on secure, industry-standard cloud servers.

• Controlled access: Only authorized users with the appropriate permissions can access your account or data.

We take data protection seriously and continuously monitor and update our systems to meet evolving security standards.

No. Your private data, including ideas, drafts, and personal information, is never used to train or fine-tune any of ClearIP’s AI models. We believe that your intellectual property should remain strictly yours.

Our AI is designed to assist, not learn from, your data.

When you delete your ClearIP account, your data is scheduled for permanent deletion. This includes saved ideas, drafts, and account information.

To prevent accidental loss, we retain your data securely for a short period. During this time, you can contact ClearIP Support to request recovery. After this period, your data will be permanently deleted and cannot be restored.

The Clear IP team want to balance your right to data erasure while ensuring you do not accidentally lose IP-critical information.

Yes. ClearIP complies with all relevant data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

You can request:

• Access to your personal data

• Correction of inaccurate information

• Deletion of your data

To learn more, review our Privacy Policy or contact ClearIP Support.

ClearIP may collect and store the following types of information:

• Account details: Name, email address, and employment information (if applicable)

• Usage data: Interactions with the platform to improve service quality

• Technical data: IP address, browser type, device information, and cookie data

We do not collect sensitive personal information unless explicitly provided by you for support or legal purposes.

Yes. You have the right to access, update, or correct your data at any time.

To request a copy of the personal data we hold or to update it, contact support@clearip.ai. We’ll provide the information in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format, per GDPR.

ClearIP uses cookies to:

• Improve your experience on our platform

• Analyze site traffic and usage patterns

• Enhance service performance and personalization

You can manage cookie preferences at any time via your browser settings. For details, refer to our Cookie Policy.

Under applicable privacy laws, you have the right to:

• Access the personal data we hold about you.

• Correct inaccurate or outdated information.

• Delete your data.

• Restrict or object to certain data processing activities.

• Withdraw consent at any time (where applicable).

These rights are designed to give you control over your personal information.

Yes. You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by:

• Clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any Clear IP email

• Adjusting your preferences in your Clear IP account settings

You will continue to receive essential account-related emails even after unsubscribing from marketing messages.

No. ClearIP never sells your personal data to third parties.

We may share data with trusted service providers solely for operational purposes (e.g., payment processing, hosting), and always under strict confidentiality obligations.

Yes. You can export your ideas and project files directly from your Clear IP dashboard.

This allows you to maintain your own backup or use your IP documentation outside of the Clear IP ecosystem.

Patentability isn’t automatically ruled out by the existence of a similar idea. The key is whether your invention is novel and non-obvious compared to existing patents or published applications. Here’s how it works:

Does a similar idea mean I can’t get a patent?

Not necessarily. Even if a concept is similar, your invention may still be patentable if it offers a new technical solution or improves upon what's already been done. What matters is how your idea compares to existing protected inventions, not just similar concepts.

What does a patentability search look for?

Patentability searches focus on published patents and applications (known as prior art). Unfiled, unprotected, or unpublished ideas generally aren’t considered — only those already in the public patent record.

How does ClearIP help assess patentability?

ClearIP supports you at two key stages:

• Idea Score: An instant, AI-powered assessment of your idea’s potential for patentability.

• Prior Art Search Guidance: A more detailed exploration, supported by our patent experts, to uncover existing patents and evaluate how your idea compares.

Even if you’re aware of similar ideas, don’t be discouraged. ClearIP helps you explore your options and move toward strong IP protection.

ClearIP conducts prior art searches using trusted, globally recognized patent databases, including:

• USPTO – United States Patent and Trademark Office

• EPO – European Patent Office

• WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization

These databases cover a wide range of published patents and applications across major jurisdictions.

We’re also working to expand coverage to include additional national and regional patent offices to better support innovators worldwide. This ensures a more comprehensive view of potential prior art as we grow.

Yes. ClearIP includes drawing templates and visual guidelines tailored to different types of inventions — from mechanical devices to software workflows. These tools help ensure your patent drawings meet formal requirements for submission.

Clear IP is not a law firm and does not adjudicate or manage legal disputes directly. However, we understand that issues around ownership, authorship, or infringement can arise.

In such cases, ClearIP can:

• Help you gather relevant documentation

• Offer guidance on next steps

• Connect you with qualified legal professionals from our trusted network

While we support our clients throughout the innovation process, any formal dispute resolution should be handled by a licensed attorney.

ClearIP is designed to be user-friendly, even for those new to intellectual property. The platform includes:

• Plain-language definitions of legal and technical terms.

• A Clear IP education tool. 

• Access to support if you need clarification or have specific questions.

• Access to legal professionals who help clarify and explain any legal terms and conditions you may encounter.

Our mission is to make intellectual property accessible to all innovators, regardless of their prior IP experience.

You do. You retain full ownership of your intellectual property at every stage. ClearIP facilitates idea capture, drafting, and filing, but we do not claim any rights over your inventions, content, or documentation.

Yes. ClearIP supports ownership transfers and IP assignments through guided workflows and legal documentation. Whether transferring to a cofounder, company, or investor, we help ensure the process is clear and compliant.

Yes. Clear IP is designed to support innovators at every stage of the patent process, and your own patent attorney or legal professional can assist you along the way.

You maintain full control of your workspace and can share draft documents externally with your attorney at any point. ClearIP also engages qualified legal professionals during the final review and filing stages to ensure your application meets formal requirements.

If you don’t have an attorney, we can help connect you with a trusted expert through our legal network.

 

Legal professionals are brought in during the final stages of the ClearIP process — when your idea has been developed, your draft is ready, and you’re approaching formal submission.

At that point, a qualified patent attorney:

• Reviews your draft for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with patent office standards

• Refines the language or structure, if needed

• Handles the official filing on your behalf

This ensures that your application benefits from expert oversight without requiring you to navigate the legal system on your own. If you don’t already have an attorney, ClearIP can connect you with one from our trusted network.

No. While ClearIP automates and simplifies early-stage patent preparation — including idea capture, drafting, and prior art research — we do not replace the expertise of a qualified attorney.

For the final submission, Clear IP connects you with vetted professionals from our legal network.

All filings submitted to patent offices are reviewed and finalised by qualified professionals. Automation is used to assist with document preparation and formatting, but the final filing is always overseen by a real person to ensure accuracy and compliance.

The Idea Capture App is your starting point for protecting an idea. It walks you through a structured, intuitive process to record, develop, and assess your innovation using criteria derived from global patent standards. You'll be asked questions designed to uncover the novelty, usefulness, non-obviousness, and commercial potential of your idea.

ClearIP utilises artificial intelligence to streamline the intellectual property process, making it faster, smarter, and easier for innovators. Here's how AI supports you throughout the platform:

1. Generate Documents

As you fill out the Idea Map, ClearIP’s AI interprets your responses and generates professionally structured draft documents, including invention summaries and technical descriptions, tailored for patent review.

2. Determine an Idea Score

Your idea is automatically evaluated using a proprietary scoring model that considers factors like novelty, clarity, scalability, and patentability. This helps you prioritise and refine your strongest ideas.

3. Improve Patentability with the IP Cruncher

The IP Cruncher analyses your draft for gaps, vague language, or technical weaknesses. It then offers suggestions to improve your descriptions and increase your chances of a successful filing.

4. Search for Prior Art with the IP Search

ClearIP uses AI to search global patent databases and published documents for similar inventions (prior art). This helps identify potential conflicts early and gives insight into how your idea stands out.

Clear IP uses large language models (LLMs) optimised for interpreting natural language in legal and technical contexts. These models help bridge the gap between how inventors describe their ideas and how patents are written. Importantly, your data is never used to train or improve any third-party AI models, and all interactions with the AI are private and secure

The questions you encounter in the Idea Map are carefully crafted to reflect international patent criteria, including:

• Novelty: Is your idea new and different from existing technology?

• Inventive Step: Is it non-obvious to someone skilled in the field?

• Industrial Applicability: Can it be manufactured or used in an industry?

• Utility: Does it provide a useful function or solve a problem?
  Answering these questions helps ensure your submission aligns with what patent examiners look for, increasing your chances of successful protection

Yes. Your idea remains fully editable until formal filing. You can revise descriptions, update documentation, or refine your answers as your thinking evolves. Whether you’ve received feedback from a collaborator or had a breakthrough insight, Clear IP makes it easy to stay flexible while building toward submission.

Traditional IP filing can be slow, expensive, and opaque, often requiring multiple legal consultations before you even know if your idea is viable. Clear IP provides a faster, more cost-effective, and transparent alternative. By combining AI-powered tools with expert review, we reduce your reliance on manual coordination, allowing you to move at your own pace while maintaining high standards of quality and compliance.

ClearIP streamlines the early patent process, reducing the need for extensive legal consultations and helping you save time and money.

When legal review or filing requires attorney involvement, fees are not included in the base pricing due to their variability. However, ClearIP can connect you with trusted legal professionals and will continue to support you through to final filing.

 

Idea Explorer — $0/year

A free tier for individuals exploring idea management tools.
Includes:

• 1 account

• Access to Notes Capture

• Idea Vault storage and tracking

• Invention Disclosure Summaries

• Access to simple tools

Innovator - $1,500/year

Ideal for individuals ready to file a provisional patent.
Includes:

• 1 account

• 1 provisional patent draft and USPTO filing

• Full access to the Idea Capture App

• IP suite of documents

• Novelty and patentability search

• Access to IP tools (including Clear NDA)

• Patent drafts

Professional - $3,500/year

Designed for teams and full patent filings.
Includes:

• 3 collaborator accounts

• 1 patent draft and USPTO filing

• Everything in the Innovator plan

Enterprise - $10,000/year

Best for companies managing multiple inventions.

Includes:

• 5 collaborator accounts

• 3 patent drafts and USPTO filings

• All features from lower tiers

Yes. ClearIP’s AI, powered by GPT-based models, can analyze images and drawings to extract relevant information that supports your patent draft. This means sketches, diagrams, and other visuals can contribute directly to describing and strengthening your idea.

For formal patent drawings, our expert team still reviews and formats them to ensure they meet official filing standards.

ClearIP is designed to guide you step by step, without requiring prior IP knowledge. Each question is straightforward and supported with educational resources and model answers to help you along the way.

The more relevant and specific information you provide, particularly technical details, the better the AI and our team can understand your invention. This not only improves the quality of the documents the AI will generate, but also streamlines the drafting process, saving time later.

There is no need to use perfect legal language. Simply explain your idea as clearly as possible, and our system, together with expert review, will refine it into a patent-ready form.

The Idea Score is Clear IP’s way of giving you quick, actionable feedback on your invention’s potential. Your idea is assessed on:

• Patentability – Does it meet the basic criteria for protection?

• Novelty – How original is it compared to what’s already out there?

• Scalability – Could it be applied broadly or commercially?

This score helps you prioritise which ideas are strongest and worth pursuing further.

Yes. ClearIP allows you to securely upload a wide range of supporting materials, including sketches, PDFs, technical documents, and pitch decks, directly into your workspace within the IP manager document suite. You can upload these documents to the IP Cruncher when refining your idea, alongside the documents generated by ClearIP’s AI. Providing your materials helps you create a more comprehensive and accurate patent draft.

ClearIP offers a full suite of tools to make the innovation process easier, including:

• Clear NDA – Generate non-disclosure agreements for secure collaboration.

• IP Cruncher – Improve patentability by refining weak points in your draft.

• IP Search – Run prior art checks against global patent databases.

• Templates – Patent drawings, disclosures, and supporting documents.

• Collaboration features – Securely share and track progress with teammates.

A patent grants you exclusive legal rights over your invention. This prevents others from making, using, selling, or distributing your invention without your permission. In essence, a patent turns your idea into a legally protected asset that you can license, commercialise, or enforce against infringement.

Yes. While Clear IP specialises in patents, we also provide guidance and resources for trademarks and copyrights. This ensures you can protect not only your inventions but also your brand identity and creative works.

 

ClearIP supports preparation for:

• Provisional patents — temporary filings that secure an early priority date.

• Non-provisional (utility) patents — full applications covering how your invention works.

• Design patents — protecting the unique visual or ornamental aspects of your product.

A provisional patent application establishes an official filing date for your invention and provides 12 months to refine, test, and develop it further before filing a non-provisional application. It’s often used by innovators who want to secure protection early while continuing to work on their idea.

ClearIP supports submissions to major patent authorities, including:

• USPTO – United States Patent and Trademark Office

• EPO – European Patent Office

• WIPO – World Intellectual Property Organization (international filings under the PCT, Patent Cooperation Treaty, system)

Yes. ClearIP helps you prepare patent applications for multiple jurisdictions. This can be done either through the WIPO PCT system, which streamlines the international process, or through direct filings in individual countries.

• Idea Score Calculator – Instant results in seconds.

• Idea Map – Time varies depending on how much detail the user provides.

• Document Generation – Typically completed within seconds.

• IP Cruncher (refining your idea) – Flexible; depends on the level of detail you choose to add.

• IP Searcher (prior art search) – Initial results available within seconds.

• Drafting a Provisional Patent – Usually completed within a few business days.

• Approval of provisional patent - weeks
  
  
• Drafting full patent - weeks
  
  
• Filing and Approval of a Full Patent – Typically takes 1–3 years, depending on the jurisdiction.

 

 

 

 

• Provisional: 12 months (cannot be renewed).

• Utility: Up to 20 years from the filing date.

• Design: Usually around 15 years, though this may vary by country.

Yes. ClearIP allows you to manage multiple related filings within one workspace, particularly under the Professional or Enterprise plans. This makes it easier to protect different aspects of a product family.

ClearIP provides jurisdictional recommendations based on your market strategy, industry, and product type. We also provide cost estimates to help you make informed decisions about where protection will have the most impact.

In most cases, yes. Many jurisdictions require filings in their official language. ClearIP provides assistance with professional translation and formatting to meet each country’s requirements.

Yes. ClearIP’s AI provides an Idea Score with tailored suggestions to improve clarity, completeness, and patentability. This early feedback helps strengthen your draft before it goes to human review. As you move further in the process, the IP Cruncher tool can help refine your idea even more, ensuring it’s as strong and well-defined as possible before submission. 

Yes. All applications are reviewed by qualified patent professionals or attorneys to ensure legal compliance and strengthen your case before submission.

Yes. Our team provides support via email, live chat, and in-app guidance at every stage—from capturing your initial idea to preparing and filing your application.

Yes. You’ll receive timely notifications for upcoming deadlines, reviews, examiner feedback, and filing milestones, so you never miss a critical step.

Clear IP continues to support you beyond submission with services such as:

• Guidance on responding to examiner inquiries

• Expanding patent protection into international markets

• Strategic patent portfolio management for long-term IP planning

Yes. We provide a range of resources to help you better understand and manage intellectual property, including:

• A regular educational newsletter

• Sample patents and templates

• Step-by-step guides and FAQs

• Educational content on our social media

Yes. Clear IP allows you to monitor your patent’s progress in real time, from idea capture and draft preparation to official filing.

Not directly, but we have connections with incubators, accelerators, and networks interested in startups building IP. We can often facilitate introductions to relevant partners to help you explore funding and growth opportunities.

Yes. Live support is available on paid plans. For more advanced needs, you can also schedule a consultation with a member of the Clear IP team.

Clear IP does not directly draft responses to office actions. However, we connect you with qualified patent attorneys or specialists who can provide expert assistance.

Yes. ClearIP allows you to securely invite collaborators into your workspace. You can assign different roles and access levels, ensuring each team member has the right level of visibility and control over your project.

Yes. ClearIP is designed for teamwork. Multiple users can contribute in real time, leave feedback, and track progress within the same project workspace. This makes it easy for innovators, advisors, and legal professionals to work together seamlessly.