Patents And How To Get One

If two or more persons make an invention jointly, they apply for a patent as joint inventors. A person who makes a financial contribution is not a joint inventor and cannot be joined in the application as an inventor. -from Patents and How to Get One Produced by the Patent and Trademark Office and written in clear language that doesn't require a lawyer to interpret, this is an important resource for inventors looking to protect their valuable work. This step-by-step guide to the patent process answers all your questions: . What is a patent? . What can be patented? . Who may apply for a patent? . What specifications, models, or exhibits must accompany a patent application? . How long does a patent application take? . How can denied applications be appealed? . What rights are granted by a patent? . and many others.

Handy official guide describes a patent, defines such terms as "patent pending" and "patent applied for," explains process of registering patents, filing fees, and much else — all in simple, easy-to-understand language.

The U.S. patent system is in an accelerating race with human ingenuity and investments in innovation. In many respects the system has responded with admirable flexibility, but the strain of continual technological change and the greater importance ascribed to patents in a knowledge economy are exposing weaknesses including questionable patent quality, rising transaction costs, impediments to the dissemination of information through patents, and international inconsistencies. A panel including a mix of legal expertise, economists, technologists, and university and corporate officials recommends significant changes in the way the patent system operates. A Patent System for the 21st Century urges creation of a mechanism for post-grant challenges to newly issued patents, reinvigoration of the non-obviousness standard to quality for a patent, strengthening of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, simplified and less costly litigation, harmonization of the U.S., European, and Japanese examination process, and protection of some research from patent infringement liability.

So you've got the next breakthrough invention! With your new idea that's poised to take the market by storm, you don't want anyone beating you to the punch. Nor do you want any tag-along imitators or giant corporations claiming your idea as their own. A patent is a temporary government-issued monopoly that prevents others from making, using, or selling your product. Holding a patent on an invention grants you the authority to issue licenses to others (individuals or companies) who want to make and sell your product. This book is designed to give you a solid fundamental understanding of this involved (and at times, complicated) process. If you're invention is a good one, then you're off to a running start, but 95% of the potential for success hinges on how you go about procuring your patent and finding partners to help you make and sell your product. This book will help you better understand the patenting process by providing step-by-step instructions on the how, when, and where of patenting.

Here is a secret of the patent industry: most inventors never recover the cost of their patent. Don't be one of them. Find out if you need a patent or not, and only get one if it fits your goals. Going to a patent attorney to know if you need a patent is like going to an insurance salesman to know if you need insurance. What do you think the answer will be? The attorney will at least try to sell you an expensive patent search.Do you like to make up your own mind? If you are an inventor or want to invest in an invention, you probably do. I am a registered patent agent and I wrote this book to help you decide if you should get a patent, or, for an investor, if you should invest in an invention. Instead of relying on a consultation by a patent agent or attorney who will use his free consultation to try and sell you something, you can read this book. It would take many hours to tell someone in person all the information and pieces of advice that are collected in this book. Instead of paying hundreds of dollars to hear someone tell you all this, you can read about patents in a non-pressure and informational context at home and think about the big issues related to them. Then, you will be informed to decide if you want to patent or not. If you still have questions, you will be able to use the free consultation given by many patent agents and attorneys to get answers to them, instead of simply be told generalities and sold a search or a provisional patent application that may not be right for you.What are the major steps of the patent process? This book includes a detailed summary of the whole process that you can read and refer to later.Find out the major mistakes that inventors tend to make. Some can eliminate any chance of getting a valid patent.For investors, find out what is the minimal set of questions you should be asking before investing a single cent in an invention. Answers to these questions can save you a lot of time and money.And of course, the 20000$ question: should you patent your invention or not? Sometimes, patenting your invention is not the best way to proceed. And if you decide to patent it, this book warns you about the major mistakes that inventors and investors make in the patent process.