Top 10 questions about patents
What is a patent?
A patent is a legal document that gives inventors the exclusive right to make, use, and sell their invention for a specific period of time. patents are issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Patents are a type of intellectual property that provide protection for inventions. In order to obtain a patent, inventors must submit a patent application to the USPTO. The USPTO will then review the application to determine if the invention is eligible for a patent.
Patents are a critical tool for protecting inventions and encouraging innovation. Without patents, inventors would have no incentive to disclose their invention to the public. Patents give inventors the confidence that their invention will not be copied or reverse-engineered by competitors.
If you have an invention that you think is eligible for a patent, you should contact a patent attorney to discuss your options.
What can be patented?
There are four types of things that can be patented: processes, machines, manufactures, and compositions of matter. To be eligible for a patent, an invention must be new, useful, and non-obvious.
How do I get a patent?
Assuming you want tips on how to obtain a patent:
There are three main ways to obtain a patent:
- Filing a patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The USPTO website has a variety of resources that can help you prepare and file your own patent application.
- Working with a patent attorney or agent. This can be a good option if you are not familiar with the patent process or if you want someone to handle the details for you.
- Hiring a patent filing service. This option is usually more expensive than filing on your own, but can save you time and hassle.
Whichever route you choose, be sure to do your research and understand the patent process before you get started. There are a lot of resources available to help you, so there's no need to go into the process blindly.
