Obtaining a patent is one way to guarantee exclusive rights to an invention or product. Hiring a patent lawyer can be expensive, but it is possible to file for a patent without the help of an attorney. To do so, you must have enough information about your invention to accurately describe it in the application. You must also understand the steps needed to obtain a patent and the requirements for obtaining a patent. The initial step is to make sure that your invention is eligible for a patent.
According to federal law, U. S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) examiners are obliged to assist individual inventors who apply for patents without the help of an attorney. To complete the patent application, you must be able to explain all aspects of your invention.
This includes recording each step of the invention process in a notebook, describing and diagramming every aspect and modification of the invention, and building and testing a prototype if necessary. Your invention must also be new or novel in order to qualify for a patent. To ensure this, you should research all previous developments in your field, including patents (foreign) and other publications such as scientific and technical journals. You can start your search on the Internet or visit a patent and trademark repository library for help from a librarian. When you file your application with the USPTO, you have two options: filing a full regular patent application (RPA) or filing a provisional patent application (PPA). A PPA allows you to apply for patent pending status for the invention and involves only a small fraction of the work and cost of a normal patent application.
However, you must file an RPA within one year of filing the PPA or you will no longer be able to claim the PPA filing date. Before investing in filing for a patent, it is important to research the market you're hoping to enter and decide if it's worth disbursing funds. More than 100,000 people have bought Patent It Yourself by Nolo, by David Pressman, and many have had positive experiences obtaining their own patents. It is possible to obtain a patent without providing detailed descriptions of your invention if you understand the steps needed to obtain a patent and meet all requirements. Researching previous developments in your field is essential to ensure that your invention is new or novel. You can also file a provisional patent application (PPA) to quickly gain credibility and perhaps attract investors.
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