How To Protect Your Product Or Invention By Obtaining A Legal Patent
You might have the latest and greatest idea for an invention or product, but without it being legally enforceable, it might be rendered worthless in a subsequent legal battle. Does this mean you need to hire an expensive lawyer to protect your intellectual property rights? Probably not.
Consider Going Through An Experienced Online Patent Service
There is a good chance you will only require a competent and legally staffed online patent service to take charge of the process for you. But first, you must consider whether your invention qualifies for patent protection under current law.
Do You Have a Unique Product, System, Process, or Design?
Underlying the legal maxim that you cannot patent an idea, there must also be something unique about the product or invention for it to be protected by U.S. patent law. Stated differently, there must be something compelling and different about the invention that sets it apart from previous ones that may or may not resemble the design you created. The applicant seeking a patent must prepare to demonstrate how the invention works and why they believe it is new to the marketplace.
Federal law requires that the invention or product upon which you assert a legal right has not been for sale or even known for one year before the applicant applies for the patent to protect the integrity of existing patents.
The process of obtaining a patent is based on the specific rules and guidelines published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. You may contact them directly, or you can elect to have a discount legal service handle the process for you.
Applying for a Patent – The Basics
Documenting Your Invention
Documentation is essential to the successful application of almost any type of patent. Essentially, you will have to demonstrate that the invention came from you, not someone else. Accordingly, you will need to document and diagram every part of your invention and be prepared to defend why you believe your invention or product is new and how you came up with the idea. Any other evidence you think will prove the product or invention came from you.
Most inventors maintain a journal as early as possible in the inventive process. The purpose is to document the thinking and process behind the claimed invention or product. This is why prototypes are so valuable. It allows you to document the dates of their construction.
Performing a Patent Search
One way to determine if your product is patentable is to search to see if anything like it has appeared in the past. You can consult scientific journals or industry magazines, or perhaps it was being used for an entirely different purpose or in a different context than its intended use.
In earlier times, searching for related inventions or similar uses without the benefit of the Internet as a research tool must have been frustrating and expensive at best.
Still, the good news is there are online discount legal services that can perform these types of searches for you if, for any reason, you are not up to the task.
Obtaining Help For Preparing And Filing Your Patent Application
You have a Variety of Choices
Selecting and completing all the necessary government patent forms and learning the application and patent process can be daunting, even for a brilliant inventor. Fortunately, both online and offline patent application process services can handle your paperwork and filing responsibilities.
The more extensive online services now offer the preparation and filing of different types of patents. For example, you can obtain a “provisional patent” that can protect how your invention works and how it’s intended to be used in the marketplace. Some online services even provide professional patent drawing and search services.
Filing and obtaining a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office can cost you about $2,500 in filing costs and incidental fees.
Preparing all the documents and forms can cost you considerably more if you need to retain the services of an expert. All of this, of course, makes using an online patent service even more compelling. But how will you know which online patent service best suits your needs? What are the most essential factors to consider in selecting the right patent service?
Three Essential Factors When Choosing an Online Patent Service
One: Must Have Competitive Pricing
Some companies have hidden fees. You want to be informed of there any possible additional costs that your patent may require before you agree to use their service.
Two: Must Have In-Depth Experience
Since applying for and securing a patent can be a complex and expensive process, you want to make sure you are working with a company that has over ten years of experience providing inventors and companies with design and patent applications services not only in the United States but in other countries as well.
Three: Must Be Secure And Trustworthy
You will want to ensure that the online company you select has a secure and confidential communication platform and process for communicating with its clients. It is preferable if you are provided with a dedicated account manager to ensure your patent process remains confidential and secure.
So what are you waiting for? See if your invention or product is patentable and if so, protect yourself and secure it for a prosperous future!
For more information, consider contacting an Online Patent Service for more information.
