The Basics Patent Process Guide
The end result of a successful patent application and process is a product protected by patent law—but there are a few steps to go through before getting to this point. Your patent attorney will guide you through many of the necessary steps, but there are some things you need to do before you even make that first call.
All inventions start with an idea but, since ideas cannot be protected, it’s necessary to move on from there to reach a patentable point. You need to take that idea and start layering on detail—materials, process, technology—everything that someone would need to actually bring your idea into reality. If someone with the appropriate technical skill is unable to follow your design and produce your product, then it’s not yet ready for patenting.
Once you’ve cleared that hurdle, however… that’s when things can start happening. Some of the initial steps you can complete yourself, but for others it’s highly advised you get the help of a qualified patent lawyer.
Patent Search
Your patent process starts here, with a patent search, to ensure that no one else has previously invented, and patented, your product. You can do the initial search yourself, making sure to include various internet searches, and get the basic results. Remember, though—just because you don’t find anything doesn’t mean it’s not there. Once you’ve completed your initial search, it’s time to consult the experts, either a patent attorney or someone with the expertise and resources to do a thorough search.
Patent Application
Here is one area where you want qualified, expert help from the very start. Some new inventors fall prey to advice to layer details on to their inventions to avoid running into prior art problems or patents, but this is not always a good idea. Particularly if your end result winds up being unusable for the general population. Sure, you may squeak by with a patent, but not for a product that will sell in the marketplace—the end goal of many inventors. A qualified patent attorney will show you how to both gain a patent, and avoid these mistakes.
Though the patent process is fairly straightforward-seeming, there are a few pitfalls in the way of the unwary inventor. Finding a patent attorney that understands your product, the way your mind works, and the genuine patent process should be one of your very first steps.
Contact your Patent Attorney to learn more.
