How can I patent iPhone or Android applications and will it be easy?

There is. You should talk with a patent attorney about the App or the idea for the App. Sometimes your application can be ruled out of getting a patent just in that conversation. If not, then you will want to do a basic patent screening search. If that looks good then you will want to prepare and file a patent application. A few years later the patent office will reject your patent and you will need to negotiate with the Patent Office to try and get it allowed. Once it is allowed, there is a process to go through to complete the registration. You should have a patent attorney helping you through that.

First you need to find out if your idea can be patented or if it falls under copyright protection. Check with a patent attorney or agent. You should also check out the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (uspto.gov) to learn about the patenting process. The U.S. Copyright Office handles copyrights.

You can get a patent if your invention is new, useful and not obvious to people skilled in the field of the invention. You cannot get a patent on laws of nature, abstract ideas, or natural phenomena. Software inventions (like apps) are often rejected as "abstract ideas" and thus may be difficult to patent. Software patents are expensive to obtain - often costing over $10,000. Visit the Patent Office website for more information - www.uspto.gov.