The first step in the process of obtaining patent protection is to file an application for a patent at the Intellectual Property Office containing a description, claims, abstract and optionally drawings. The application is examined by the IP Office first for formalities and then substantively. It may be necessary for the scope of the claims to be amended in light of prior art uncovered by the IP Office Examiner and of which you were not aware of prefiling. The application is published 18 months from filing and subsequently proceeds to grant once all objections raised by the Examiner have been addressed.