How do you patent an idea/Invention?

Question

I have a great Idea and I want to make absolutley sure no one else has thought of it. How do I get started with the whole process??

Answer 1

US Patent and Trademark Office was a searchable databose online at uspto.gov

if you still look like the first ... be advised that in order to secure a patent [in addition to filing], you have to actually produce and sell product using it. Failing to do so will, in some countries, allow anyone else who wants to use it to do so for free.

Most of the world's nations use a nearly common set of patent rules [I think they are part of the World Trade Organization agreements] ... filing in any one member country acts as a one year temporary filing in all countries.

AND, when the year is up, you have to file in all other countries or anyone else may file in them and thus seize your idea everywhere except your first country.

At the present time, a reasonable estimate of the costs to hire a good patent firm and make your first filing is about $100,000. Expect the 'other countries' filings to cost another $100,000 -- but you have a year to sell product and decide if that second $100,000 is worth it.

"Good" patent firm is an outift known by other patent attorneys to do quality work -- and thus they'd advise their clients to not infringe on your idea because they'd likely lose the resulting court case.

Which points up the need to have the resources to sue to protect your patent after you've begun selling product.


daunting, isn't it?

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Answer 2

First, it's not subject to mediation. You still have to do all the paperwork and you should, depending on the idea, hire a patent lawyer. Realize that you have to show that your idea is new and different and isn't something already patented. That requires a search of all prior patents. That's where the work is. For good information, check on the Nolo Press website below. They have an excellent reputation in self-help legal information.

Answer 3

Google also has a nice patent search which may be easier to use: http://www.google.com/patents

However, it does not include published applications, only issued patents. Thus, when searching the USPTO's website, you should search published applications and patents.

Keep in mind, this still doesn't include everything out there since patents don't publish for 18 months after filing, but it can give you a good idea at least.