Just want to know what to aspect when spending that much money.
2006-07-07 13:46:50 · 4 answers · asked by Karl 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Investing
First, you need to perform a patent search..you can do this on-line as the patent office now allows you to search their database.
Nolo Press has a really good book on how to get a patent...I highly recommend it.
After you have determined that someone else hasn't patented your invention, you write up the documents for your patent.
You mail it into the patent office along with a check (the fee is around $300). The patent office will respond in a couple of months with a letter giving you a patent pending number and say your patent is under review.
About 3-6 months later, you will get a notice from the office saying your patent is declined and a list of all the patents they found that they think show your invention is already patented.
You can argue that the patents they found were not really applicable...you can re-write your documents and resubmit them for no extra fee...you can also call the examiner (this is extremely useful!) and discuss with him/her why you don't think they should have declined your patent (have good arguments, don't get all emotional, stay logical!)
re-submit your patent and see what happens. It usually takes 2-3 go-arounds to get something patented, if it really is viable, so don't give up.
It costs more time than money...unless of course you hire someone to do it for you...in which case it is both.
2006-07-07 13:55:35 · answer #1 · answered by Elise M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Patents should be near the end of the process, once you're sure you have something marketable. In almost all cases, you have a year after your idea becomes public knowledge before you need to apply for your patent. Inventor help lines (that say they'll help you get your patent) are usually parasites on your dreams.
The road from concept to product is long and hard. Been dreaming on mine for decades, and I think I'll get the first marketable prototype finished in a couple of months.
I did once get some legal protection on a software development I did, but by the time I felt it was marketable, the computer I developed it for (Commodore 64) was unavailable. Big waste of money to go legal before you've got all the practical stuff complete.
Live long and prosper
2006-07-07 21:03:54 · answer #2 · answered by Arman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
However much you think it is going to cost, it will cost more. Figure $50K to have a professional IP lawyer handle it. Much less as a private inventor, but many more pitfalls. Most of the patents out there are crap. Make sure your idea is novel, useful and marketable before you start the process.
2006-07-07 20:52:03 · answer #3 · answered by Geoduck 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a long and costly process. Spending over $50k is normal for lawyers fees.
2006-07-08 00:20:17 · answer #4 · answered by marketwizard 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋