? how do you keep a patent secret while getting the patent ?

Answer 1

It doesn't matter. You can tell whoever you want about this, and still get the patent anyway. All you have to do is this:
Write down all the information that you can on the patent you are trying to acquire, or print it off your computer. You even have to write down at what stage you are in the search for the patent. Gather any receipts, filing information, patent searches and anything else that might document your intent to acquire a patent.
Then, take all of this information, put it into an envelope, seal it, and mail it to yourself. DO NOT open it when it comes back.
If for whatever reason, someone tries to steal your patent, you have a sealed envelope that is certified by the US Postal Service with a date of shipment.

You sue anyone who tries to steal your patent.
When it goes to court, all you have to do is hand the judge the sealed envelope. He will see the date on it, and when he opens it, he will see that you had the idea first.

All it will cost you is the price of a stamp.

The only thing you must do is keep trying to acquire your intellectual property. You must stay in contact with the USPTO. If you give up the attempt, then you will lose in court.

So do what I said, keep trying to get your patent and you will be fine.

Good luck.

Answer 2

The amount of misinformation on this question is absolutely amazing.

First, you can find the answers to most of your questions at www.uspto.gov.

Second, if you file a provisional application, not a "preliminary patent," whatever that is, then you have one year to file a non-provisional patent application. Provisional applications are not published and expire after one year.

When you file your non-provisional application, if you are not going to foreign file then you can file a request for non-publication under the laws current as of today and your application will not be published.

Between your provisional application and your request for non-publication you can keep your applications secret until your first patent (assuming you get it) issues. The total time of secrecy will probably be three years or more.

Once a patent issues it becomes public and there is nothing you can do about that. The whole purpose of the patent system is to make patents public to advance technology.

Good luck!

Answer 3

File a preliminary patent with the patent office. You have 1 year to finalize it.

Answer 4

If you are in the US, you do not need it since the law of the first proven user applies. You can have it in an envelop given sealed (and dated) to an officer to prove that you had the idea before.

In the rest of the world, you have to file for a patent. If I remember, the cost is around 200,000$ to cover most countries.

Answer 5

You don't tell anyone about it is the obvious answer.

If you 'have to' - for example you need an engineering firm to make the prototype for testing - then you have the people you tell about it sign a non-disclosure agreement.

Richard

Answer 6

Non Disclosure Agreement, commonly know as an NDA.

Have all parities sign it.