Thursday, June 14, 2012

Some simple and effective steps on how to patent your idea

Coming up with a unique and useful idea can be turned into an invention. However, if this idea gets disclosed to any other individual or firm, they might utilize it earn financial profits. The process of patenting your idea can be quite complicated, lengthy and even expensive. However, filing a patent is the only solid way to protect your idea, whether you are willing to someone else or produce it yourself.

Without a patent, your idea becomes free to be utilized by anyone and at any time. Many people are unsure on how to convert an idea into a patent and where to even begin with. A lack of understanding on how to patent an idea is the most common downfalls for new inventors that are trying to copyright an idea. There are highly skilled professionals at the reputable patent agencies and are well versed with the ins and outs of the patent process. Their knowledge will be a benefit for you in saving time, money and disappointment as you work to protect your unique idea. Also when you apply for a patent, you get a provisional patent application, which expires within a year. Therefore it is mandatory to file a non-provisional patent with a year’s duration.

Some simple steps that can be helpful for you to patent an invention are:

• Firstly you need to check that whether your idea is truly unique and also determine that whether your idea can be converted into an invention. An idea cannot be patented and hence it should be converted into an actual product in order for the USPTO to issue a patent.

• Document your idea in as much detail as possible and immediately attach a date to it by taking your documents to the Notary public. Documentation is necessary as it stands out as a proof that thought of the idea for the invention before anyone else.

• It is also necessary to create a prototype for your invention, which is basically a model of your idea that can be used to demonstrate the design of your invention. It is also useful as it allows you check any errors in your design theory or flaws in your idea.

• When you apply for a patent at the USPTO, a provisional patent will be given that offers protection for a limited period of time during which additional work can be performed on the invention without the fear of getting your idea stolen. A non-provisional patent should be filed within a year of the filing date for the provisional patent application. For more info, visit the link: Tran & Associates - How to patent

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