# Sports equipment patent attorneys for gear brands

> Flat-fee sports equipment patent attorney services for sporting goods brands and inventors. Start with a $999 patentability search, refunded if it isn't patentable.

Page: https://arapackelaw.com/industries/sporting-goods/  
Title: Sports Equipment Patent Attorney for Sporting Goods Brands  
Breadcrumb: [Home](https://arapackelaw.com/) / [Industries](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/) / [Sporting goods](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/sporting-goods/)

We protect how your gear performs, how it looks and the brand on it, timed around testing and launch, with one flat fee for each step.

- $999 patentability search
- No hourly billing
- Registered patent attorneys

## For the people who make sports gear.

From a garage prototype to a brand adding to its line every season, the work starts the same way. Find out what is new, then protect it before athletes, buyers or a trade show see it.

- **Equipment inventors** Athletes, coaches and engineers with a better club, bat, board or ball, protected before the first sample goes out.
- **Sporting goods brands** Companies launching new products each season, with a flat fee per filing so protection keeps pace with the line.
- **Fitness and wearable teams** Smart equipment, sensors and the apps that read them, protected as hardware and as the method it performs.
- **Protective gear makers** Helmets, pads and guards, where a better way to absorb an impact or fit the body is often the invention.

## Four things worth protecting in sports gear.

Most sporting goods carry more than one kind of protection. A patent on how the gear performs, a design patent on how it looks and a trademark on the brand each stop a different kind of copy.

### How the gear performs (utility patent)

The structure, the mechanism and the way it is used. Claims are written around what makes your gear perform differently, such as more grip, less vibration or a faster setup.

- Clubs, bats, rackets and boards
- Footwear and apparel construction
- Training aids and fitness machines
- Protective gear and padding

### Materials and smart equipment (utility patent)

A new material, a composite layup or a sensor built into the gear, claimed by what it does in use. The app that reads the sensor is claimed as a technical process, not an abstract idea.

- Composites and foams
- Sensors and wearables
- Performance tracking methods
- Methods of manufacture

### How the gear looks (design patent)

The ornamental shape and surface of a shoe sole, a club head, a bottle or a bag, protected for 15 years from grant. The look buyers recognize is often what a knock-off copies.

- Footwear and soles
- Club heads and frames
- Bags, bottles and accessories

Covered by The RLG Guarantee (USPTO denies it, full refund).

### The brand on the gear (trademark)

Clear and file the brand name and logo before they go on product, packaging and team orders, so the name athletes ask for is one you own.

- Brand and product names
- Logos
- Product line names

Covered by The RLG Guarantee (Approved, or your money back).

**A new game is harder to protect than the gear.** Copyright does not cover the idea of a sport or how it is played, and a set of rules on its own is usually treated as an abstract idea for patents. The equipment, the brand and the artwork on the gear can be protected, and a manufacturing process may be worth more as a trade secret. Your attorney tells you which on your first call.

## Search, provisional, utility. Flat fees at every step.

Every step is quoted before any work begins, and the search fee is credited toward a design or non-provisional application. Most sporting goods founders file a provisional before testing in public, a trade show or the first sale, then the full application within 12 months.

### Start here, Patentability search

**$999** flat fee. Patentable or your money back. Credited toward a design or non-provisional application. Report in about 5 days.

- An invention discovery call with your attorney
- A search of US and foreign patents and published applications
- A written patentability report and a review call

Covered by [The RLG Guarantee](https://arapackelaw.com/rlg-guarantee/) (Not patentable, full refund).

### Then, Provisional patent

**$2,500 to $3,500** flat fee. . Patent pending the day it is filed.

- A strategy call to capture how the gear works
- Drafted by a registered patent attorney
- You review and approve it before filing

Covered by [The RLG Guarantee](https://arapackelaw.com/rlg-guarantee/) (Patentability issues, full refund).

### Within 12 months, Non-provisional patent

**$7,000 to $12,000** flat fee. Drawings and USPTO filing fees included. Filed before your 12-month deadline.

- Claims and a full specification written for examination
- Formal drawings and USPTO filing fees
- Complex products quoted flat on your call

Flat fee, not covered by the guarantee.

### Alongside the patent

- **Design patent, $3,200.** For the gear's shape and look, office actions included. Covered by The RLG Guarantee.
- **Trademark, $2,000.** For the brand name, USPTO fee for one class included. Covered by The RLG Guarantee.

## Field testing and launch. Plan them together.

A patent decides who can make and sell the gear. Testing with athletes, safety rules and the season you launch in decide when the public first sees it. Once gear is used in public or offered for sale, the clock on filing starts.

### Patent, who can make and sell it

1. **Search** ($999). Patentable, or your money back
2. **Provisional** (File first). Patent pending, before public testing
3. **Test and refine** (Patent pending). Up to 12 months to improve the design
4. **Full application** (Month 12). Within 12 months
5. **Granted**. Rights you can enforce

### Launch, when the public sees it

1. **Prototype** (Use an NDA). Samples from a manufacturer
2. **Field testing** (Disclosure risk). Athletes use it in practice and play
3. **Safety and equipment rules** (Check early). Standards and competition rules
4. **Trade show or preorders** (Goes public). Buyers and the public see it
5. **Season launch**. Retail, team and online sales

**File before athletes use it in public.** Gear used in a public game, shown at a trade show or offered for preorder can make an invention public. The US gives you one year after your own disclosure, but most other countries do not. File at least a provisional first.

- **Testing in public can count as disclosure.** Using a prototype in public can be a public use under US patent law. Testing that is truly experimental, run by the inventor and kept confidential, is treated differently, but it is safer to file a provisional before the gear leaves your hands. [What a provisional application needs](https://arapackelaw.com/patents/what-is-provisional-patent-application/)
- **Safety rules are separate from patents.** A patent lets you stop others from copying the gear. It does not clear the gear for sale. Some products, such as bicycle helmets, must meet a federal safety standard, and many sports set equipment rules for competition play. [What a patent lets you stop](https://arapackelaw.com/patents/rights-of-patent/)
- **Mark the gear once it is patented.** Marking products with the patent number, on the product or through a virtual marking web page, keeps your right to damages from copiers who did not know about the patent. [How virtual patent marking works](https://arapackelaw.com/patents/patent-virtual-marking/)

*General information, not legal or regulatory advice. Safety standards, product liability rules and equipment rules depend on the product and the sport.*

## Services for sporting goods companies.

One firm for the patent, the brand and the agreements around them.

- [Utility patents](https://arapackelaw.com/patents/utility-patents/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/patents/utility-patents.md). Protect how the gear performs.
- [Provisional patents](https://arapackelaw.com/patents/provisional-patents/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/patents/provisional-patents.md). Patent pending while you test with athletes. Covered by The RLG Guarantee.
- [Design patents](https://arapackelaw.com/patents/design-patents/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/patents/design-patents.md). Protect how the gear looks. Covered by The RLG Guarantee.
- [Trademarks](https://arapackelaw.com/trademarks/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/trademarks.md). Register the brand and product names. Covered by The RLG Guarantee.
- [IP licensing agreements](https://arapackelaw.com/intellectual-property-licensing-agreements/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/intellectual-property-licensing-agreements.md). License a product, a design or a brand for merchandise.
- [Contracts and agreements](https://arapackelaw.com/contracts-agreements/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/contracts-agreements.md). Endorsement, sponsorship and supplier agreements.
- [Non-disclosure agreements](https://arapackelaw.com/non-disclosure-agreements-ndas/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/non-disclosure-agreements-ndas.md). Share designs with manufacturers on your terms.
- [Trademark litigation](https://arapackelaw.com/ip-litigation/trademark-litigation/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/ip-litigation/trademark-litigation.md). Stop counterfeits and copied brands.

## Before you file.

### Can you patent sports equipment?

Yes. New equipment, a better version of known gear, the materials it is made from and the way it is made can all be patented when they are new and not obvious. A sport itself, its rules or the idea for a game cannot be protected on its own, so the claims focus on the gear and how it works.

### Do I need a utility patent or a design patent for my gear?

Often both. A utility patent protects how the gear performs, such as a grip, a frame or a cushioning system. A design patent protects how it looks, such as the shape of a sole or a club head. Copiers often change one and keep the other, so many sporting goods are worth protecting both ways. The patentability search shows which is stronger for yours.

### How long does a sports equipment patent last?

A utility patent lasts up to 20 years from its filing date, as long as maintenance fees are paid. A design patent lasts 15 years from the date it is granted, with no maintenance fees. A provisional application never becomes a patent itself. It holds your filing date for 12 months.

### Can I test my gear with athletes before I file?

It is safer to file first. Use in a public game, a team trial without a confidentiality agreement or a sale can make the invention public. The US gives inventors one year after their own disclosure, but most other countries require filing before it. A provisional before testing keeps both options open, and a PCT application within 12 months keeps patent rights abroad open too.

### How do I stop counterfeit gear and copies sold online?

A registered trademark lets you act against sellers using your brand, through marketplace complaints, a cease and desist letter or a lawsuit. Marketplace brand programs such as Amazon Brand Registry also ask for one. A granted patent does the same for gear that copies what it claims.

### How much does a sports equipment patent cost with your firm?

Flat fees at every step. A $999 patentability search, a provisional application at $2,500 to $3,500 depending on the invention, a design patent for $3,200 and a non-provisional application at $7,000 to $12,000 with drawings and USPTO filing fees included. Every fee is quoted before work begins, and the search fee is credited toward a design or non-provisional application.

### What does The RLG Guarantee cover for sporting goods?

The patentability search, the provisional application, design patents and trademarks. If the search finds your invention is not novel, you get a full refund or another search. If patentability issues come up on your provisional, a full refund or more searches. If the USPTO denies your design application, you get a full refund. If it refuses your trademark, you get a refund or a new mark. Non-provisional applications are not covered. Refunds are subject to the RLG Guarantee Policy in your engagement letter.

## Your attorneys

- [Andrew Rapacke](https://arapackelaw.com/learn-more/the-team/andrew-rapacke/), Managing Partner, Registered Patent Attorney. Former Naval Engineering Officer. M.S. in electrical and electronics engineering.
- [Ken Brooks](https://arapackelaw.com/team/ken-brooks/), Registered Patent Attorney. Materials science and engineering. Patents in software, AI, and electrical and mechanical systems.

Meet the team at https://arapackelaw.com/learn-more/the-team/

## Go deeper on protecting sports gear.

- [Golf Patents: Everything You Need to Know](https://arapackelaw.com/patents/golf-patents-everything-you-need-to-know/)
- [Protecting Your Shoe Designs With Patents](https://arapackelaw.com/patents/protecting-your-shoe-designs-with-patents/)
- [Design Patent vs Utility Patent: Shield Your Product Design with the Right Legal Protection](https://arapackelaw.com/patents/design-patent-vs-utility-patent/)
- [What Is Patent Virtual Marking, and Why It Matters for Your Patent Rights](https://arapackelaw.com/patents/patent-virtual-marking/)
- [How To Deal with Knock Offs Trying to Ruin Your Products and Brand](https://arapackelaw.com/trademarks/how-to-deal-with-knock-offs-trying-to-ruin-your-products-and-brand/)
- [Patent PCT Filing to Protect Your Invention Globally](https://arapackelaw.com/patents/patent-pct/)

[All articles](https://arapackelaw.com/learning-center/)

## Other industries

- [3D printing](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/3d-printing/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/3d-printing.md). Printers, processes, materials and the products they make.
- [Aerospace](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/aerospace/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/aerospace.md). Aircraft, drones and spacecraft, protected before the first public flight.
- [AI and machine learning](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/ai-machine-learning/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/ai-machine-learning.md). Models, training methods and the AI features inside your product.
- [Autonomous vehicles](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/autonomous-vehicles/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/autonomous-vehicles.md). Sensing, navigation and control systems for vehicles that drive themselves.
- [Blockchain](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/blockchain/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/blockchain.md). Protocols, wallets and the technical methods behind decentralized products.
- [Computer hardware](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/computer-hardware/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/computer-hardware.md). Components, peripherals and the systems that tie them together.
- [Consumer electronics](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/consumer-electronics/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/consumer-electronics.md). Devices people carry and use every day, from how they work to how they look.
- [Consumer products](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/consumer-products/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/consumer-products.md). Everyday products and the brands on them, protected before launch.
- [Cybersecurity](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/cybersecurity/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/cybersecurity.md). Security software and hardware, and what to patent or keep secret.
- [Defense](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/defense/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/defense.md). Defense technology, planned around contracts and export rules.
- [Digital health](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/digital-health/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/digital-health.md). Telehealth, remote monitoring and health apps, built around patient data.
- [E-commerce](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/ecommerce/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/ecommerce.md). Online brands and Amazon sellers, from the trademark to the product itself.
- [Electrical hardware](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/electrical/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/electrical.md). Power electronics, controls, sensors, batteries and motors, from circuit to system.
- [Energy and clean tech](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/energy/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/energy.md). Batteries, solar, storage, charging and the grid, from the cell to the system.
- [Fintech](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/fintech/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/fintech.md). Payments, lending and trading technology, claimed as technical improvements.
- [Gaming](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/gaming/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/gaming.md). Game engines, mechanics, controllers and titles, protected before the reveal.
- [Medical devices](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/medical-devices/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/medical-devices.md). Devices, diagnostics and software as a medical device, timed with the FDA.
- [Robotics](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/robotics/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/robotics.md). Robots, grippers and the software that moves them, protected before the pilot.
- [Semiconductors](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/semiconductors/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/semiconductors.md). Chip design, fabrication processes and packaging.
- [Software and SaaS](https://arapackelaw.com/industries/software-saas/) (Markdown https://arapackelaw.com/industries/software-saas.md). The methods your platform performs, protected however the code is written.

## Next steps

- [Book a free strategy call](https://arapackelaw.com/contact-us/) with a registered patent attorney, or call (954) 951-0154
- [Take the Intelligent IP Quiz](https://arapackelaw.com/intelligent-ip-quiz/) to see what to protect first
- [The RLG Guarantee](https://arapackelaw.com/rlg-guarantee/), the refund promise on four services

General information, not legal advice.