Where do I go to patent an idea in the U.S.?

Question

I have a friend who needs to patent an idea he has, but I'm not sure where to tell him to go. I see lame commercials sometimes for inventor submissions, but they seem really sketchy and I doubt they're legit. If anyone has any legitmate well known places to recommend to do this kind of thing, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Answer 1

USPTO http://www.uspto.gov

If you have an invention, here are some steps you need to take:

1. Consult a patent lawyer and check if your idea can be patented.
2. Keep extensive records tracking the development of your idea.
3. Conduct an extensive research to find out if there are similar patents.
4. Document where, how and to whom you showed your idea.
5. Do your own market research if your idea is marketable
6. Explore the possibility of developing the product yourself, or licensing someone else to make the product for you.

There are companies out there who helps inventors develop their products. One of them that I've dealt with is Big Idea Group http://www.bigideagroup.net/submittingideas.html

To bring your idea to market, here are some tips

Getting Started:

- The Ideabook = Keep a bound ideabook of your invention idea. Date your entries.
- Get it Notarized = get it officially confirmed that you conceived your invention idea on a particular date, and have your notes notarized.
- Seek and Search = Do your own patent search to ascertain if your invention is original and prospectively patentable.
- Create the Initial Prototype = Use simple materials to rig it up, to see if it works.
- Get Educated = Educate yourself on the inventing process. Go to a bookstore or inventorhelp.com and review the plethora of books written on the subject.
- The Non-Disclosure Form = Agreement signed between you and anyone you reveal your invention to.

Moving Ahead

- Analyze Costs to Produce = Ascertain what the costs will be.
- The Evaluation Process = Analyze the benefits and features, strengths and weaknesses of your invention.
- Get a Professional Prototype = Have professional prototypes made, the quality of which can be shown to potential retail buyers.
- Protect Your Idea = Apply for a provisional patent yourself.
- The Non-Provisional Patent = Your patent attorney files your non-provisional patent application.

Options for Marketing

- Licensing = The inventor has the choice to license the invention to a manufacturer in exchange for a royalty percentage in sales.
- Manufacturing = Manufacturing and distributing your invention entails higher financial risk but can reap greater profits.

Here are some books that can help you:

From Patent to Profit by Bob De Matteis
Protecting Your #1 Asset : Creating Fortunes from Your Ideas : An Intellectual Property Handbook
Patents and How to Get One : A Practical Handbook
How to Register Your Own Trademark : With Forms
Patent It Yourself
Protecting Your Ideas : The Inventor's Guide to Patents

Answer 2

Get a lawyer who specializes in patents. There is a lot of research involved in patenting, in order to make sure two similiar products don't both get patented.
The patent will also cost you a few thousand dollars, so be prepared for that expense. The inventor submission things on tv actually have useful information if you order their free packet, but I wouldn't patent anything through them.

Answer 3

Leave it to the professionals. Contact the local bar association for a qualified Patent Attorney. Inquire as to whether or not s/he will file the necessary papers for a percentage of the porfits for the next __ numbr of years.