Patents
Patents grant an inventor a limited monopoly, usually 20 years for their invention, in return for disclosing the details of it. The inventor gets the exclusive right to make, use, sell, and import.
At some point your invention may be worth protecting. Utility patents are granted for "non-obvious, novel, and useful" articles of manufacture, methods, and compositions of matter. Design patents are granted for 14 years and protect the "novel" look of an article of manufacture.
At some point your invention may be worth protecting. Utility patents are granted for "non-obvious, novel, and useful" articles of manufacture, methods, and compositions of matter. Design patents are granted for 14 years and protect the "novel" look of an article of manufacture.
Disclosure and losing your potential rights
Many inventors don't realize how valuable property may be lost by disclosing the details of it, or offering it for sale. Even public use of a product or publication may limit your ability to get a patent in the United States and other countries.
Although there's no law against drafting and filing your own patent application, working with a patent agent or patent attorney who can help you develop a strategy, draft documents, and communicate with the (USPTO) is highly recommended.
Although there's no law against drafting and filing your own patent application, working with a patent agent or patent attorney who can help you develop a strategy, draft documents, and communicate with the (USPTO) is highly recommended.
