Patent Process
As an inventor knowing patent
process is a very important requirement. This could help your bid in
securing a patent. The invention could be worth millions of dollars
which could justify the trouble of going through the patent
process. The patent process could be greatly facilitated by the aid
of patent lawyers or agent. But inventors can do the job
themselves.
Probably the most basic step on
patent process is to determine if the invention is patentable. This
plays a huge factor during the patent process. The result of the
evaluation will determine if you push through with the application
for patent or not.
The following suggestions help you
with the patent process:
1. Keep a careful
record of your invention. In this
patent process you are required to record every step of the
invention process in a notebook. Sign and date each entry and have
two reliable witnesses sign as well.
2. Make sure your
invention qualifies for patent protection.
In this patent process you need to show how your invention works. It
must be different in some important way from all previous
inventions. It also cannot be for sale or be known about for more
than a year before you apply for a patent.
3. Assess the commercial
potential of your invention. This patent
process demands that you research the market you hope to enter.
4. Do a thorough patent
search. This patent process entails that
you need to search all the earlier developments in your field. You
will be able to prepare a strong patent application.
5. Prepare and file
an application with the USPTO. In
this patent process you choose to file a full-blown regular patent
application (RPA) or you can file a provisional patent application (PPA)
on the invention at USPTO.
After the application has been
filed in the USPTO, it is assigned to a patent examiner. The next
step on the patent process is for the patent examiner to make an
exhaustive review on the application. This is done through
correspondence with the examiner, discussions in person or by
telephone, and perhaps doing some amendments to the claims. If the
invention is not patentable, the applicant can appeal to the USPTO's
Board of Appeals. This phase on patent process requires the aid of a
patent lawyer. If the Board's decision is unfavorable, a further
appeal may be taken by the patent lawyer to the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
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