Patents, and information?
By Yahoo User • Category: Do I Need It To Patent?Where can I find the most comprehensive information about patents? Specifically, how do I file one? How much development do I have to do with my idea to get a patent? How do I make sure that my idea stays secret until my patent is finally published? Then when I do get the patent, are there easy ways to find marketing and mass production people to help me get it off the ground? Thanks.
See www.uspto.gov. This is the US Patent and Trademark Office and they have the official information.You will need to get yourself a patent lawyer or a specialist. It’s way too hard to file a patent on your own and your chances of something getting rejected are great without a specialist.Once you file, you have protection, as long as your patent is eventually granted. At that time, you can sue anyone that’s infringed.A patent application is basically a description of your invention (pictures and diagrams help) plus “claims.” Each claim must be unique. If someone else has a patent with an equivalent claim, that claims is rejected. If someone else had “prior art” that meets that claim, the claim is rejected (even if the prior art was not patented).For example, suppose you’ve invented a new way to heat coffee. If you have a claim that says “The user pours hot water into a cup,” that’s not a legit claim since pouring hot water in a cup is an existing thing. It’s not unique.Once you’ve filed, marketing your invention usually means pounding the pavement. Most companies will not work with outside inventors, but some do. I’d suggest that you write letters to any company that might be interested to see what their policy is. Do NOT provide details, but simply ask for a copy of their policy. Out of 100 letters, you might get 1 that sends you a policy that says anything but “we do not accept unsolicited ideas.”I’d suggest that you present at an inventor’s fair. Corporate buyers attend these to see if there are ideas.You can also raise money to produce and sell your invention, yourself. And then hope someone sees it and asks if you’ll be willing to sell your company.Bottom line: get an expert to help you prepare the application. It’ll cost you a few thousand (even if you don’t go with a lawyer) plus hundreds (if not thousands) in filing fees, search fees, etc.
To help you in your preparation (before you see a lawyer) you can have a look at the step-by-step guide on the site listed below. Hope it helps!