Peter benson
At some point in life everybody comes up with this great idea for a new product that we all wonder, “Why has nobody thought of this before.” For most people their idea stops right there. But for the few of us out there, who dream of making it big with our new idea, geting a patent is the first step.
Most people give up with their idea because they figure that it must take way too much work to get their idea or product patented. In reality a patent is incredibly easy to obtain! It takes a little bit of paper work and minimal money.
WHAT IS A PATENT:
A patent is a document given out by the US PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE. This document grants the owner the sole rights to their invention for a certain timeframe. Nobody else is able to use your idea or product without your permission!
Applying for a patent is easy. All it takes is a small fee of about 100 dollars and the submission of an easy to fill out form. Once submitted the examiner will review your application and then send it back to you. The examiner and you will then work out the minor details of the patent until the process is complete.
Once an agreement has been reached between you and the examiner at the patent office then your application will be made public in the offical publication called the ‘Official Gazette.’
If your patent is not objected to by the public then you will pay a fee and you will then be sent your patent deed as proof that your patent has been accepted.
June 11, 2008
This is very useful information to have. I know that I have a ton if ideas for inventions I have come up with. But like most people, I gave up the idea because I thought it would be too hard, or expensive to try and get a patent. I’ve spoken with different people who are supposed to help you get a patent and submit your invention, and they always have large fees. I never knew it would be so easy just to do it on my own.
June 26, 2008
I am always afraid to submit my ideas. For two reasons. ONE, I think people will laugh at my ideas, and TWO, what if they rip off my idea? I think I might get very angry about this. What can you do about it when you cant afford a lawyer in the first place?
June 26, 2008
lol, i live in the UK, so the patents are given out by the UK patent office, the other thing that you have to worry about is territory – if you take out a patent in the USA then its not covered anywhere else in the world, so someone in europe can patent it for everywhere else in the world, except the USA – try to get a patent that covers the whole world =)