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 Step by Step Patents

Step by Step Patents: the ideal guide for inventors and inventing.

Patents are expensive, difficult to get, and barely worth the time it takes to complete. This is why many people don't pursue patent filing. They've given up before they start because they feel like it's just too hard. This article will talk about how popular misconceptions about patents along with what a patent really is as well as everything you need to know going into your own patented idea or invention process.

This article specifically is going to focus on the process of filing a patent. At the end of this article, you will be able to walk away with some very valuable information about patents and patent preparation for possible use in your own inventions and inventions.

The Basic Idea: Step by Step Patents is an introduction to what a patent is and will give you a step by step guide to getting all the information you'll need to file your first US Application. Each section in this book is designed to teach you something more about how patents work so that when you're ready, you'll know exactly what questions to ask throughout the process making it effortless for you.

You have probably heard some of the myths about patents or perhaps you even know the entire process.

This book will give you everything you need to know about filing a patent in the United States and help you protect your ideas from theft.

This book is meant for someone who is looking to file a patent after reading the book and from this point on understands what's involved in filing a patent or before doing so. The reader that wants to get into the process of determining how best to proceed will find this two hour quick start guide to be invaluable in getting started on their invention ideas. [ARTICLE END]

http://www.lulu.com/shop/john-f-klein/step-by-step-patents/paperback/product-20741229.html?

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/1063622.html

Patent Publications: Patently To End the Patent Wars! [Link]

http://www.broomfieldenterprise.com/lds147803,33056481.html

http://www.clarkson.edu/oori/34373/outreach/entrepreneurshipprograms/ideas.htm

5.1: Small Business Development Centers

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UC Boulder has a great program called "We Stand Up" that we strongly recommended you utilize if you feel on the fence about obtaining your first patent. Basically, "We Stand Up" is a series of workshops and seminars with experts in the intellectual property field, which everyone participating in the program will attend for free to gain as much knowledge about patents and trademarks as possible. And the SBDC has many other great services to help you start your business as well, so they are definitely worth checking out.

http://www.cbdcnet.org/

5.2: Small Business Administration Office

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a part of the US Department of Commerce and offers all kinds of great programs to help entrepreneurs start their businesses, including the Small Business Innovation Development Grants (SBIR). The SBA also offers various workshops for inventors and has a lot of information about patents on their website (the link is below). So if you are looking to patent your idea or invention, try searching their site for "patent" or "intellectual property.

https://www.sba.gov/news/servlet/SBA-Search?page=1&aktion=search&keywordtype=0&keyword

5.3: International Trade Administration Office

The International Trade Administration (ITA) is also a part of the Department of Commerce that offers many programs to help you market your invention both nationally and abroad. The ITA has a web portal called Innovation, which is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start their businesses and file patents along with other intellectual property procedures; it also provides them with tons of valuable information and links to other agencies that may be able to help them so look up Innovation.

http://www.ita.doc.gov/initiatives/innovation/index.asp

5.4: US Patent and Trademark Office

The USPTO is the official patent office of the United States of America and is where you should go to file your patent in the United States if you choose not to file a provisional application with an attorney or other agent (we recommend doing so). Also, there are many benefits to filing your patent in Washington DC (such as it being easier for foreign countries) but we have chosen not to mention that here because that step does not need to be taken until the end of our course.

http://www.uspto.gov/

5.5: Help with Patents and Prototypes (inventHelp)

It's hard to hear about all of these great options for patents and then not know where to go from there; we had the same problem, that is why we have included this section about a company called inventHelp for you because it works very well for first time patent makers who are trying to create a prototype and get their idea off the ground. InventHelp helps with all aspects of your invention including taking care of your patent, manufacturing, marketing, etc. They also have a free downloadable patent generating software (just download the formula) for people who do not have access to a computer.

http://www.inventhelp.com/

6: Patent Filing Process [LINK]

Now that you know what a patent is, it's time to get started on actually filing your patent application. You'll want to keep this section on your desk for reference as you go along and need help with anything you don't fully understand. It's much better to find out now than later that you didn't understand something in terms of fees, law, etc.

6.1: Filing Process

Just like with every other task in this course, you will either want to do all the steps yourself or find someone to help you. In case you don't have time to do everything yourself, we have included a bunch of information about hiring an attorney and agent below.

Step 1: Undertake a Patent Search [LINK]

This step is not required but we highly recommend it. In order to make sure your idea is new (and thus eligible for patent protection) and to avoid having someone steal your idea and file their own patent, you want to make sure no one else has thought of the same thing as you.

Conclusion of Patents

A conclusion of patent review can be made by a single examiner at the time of the patent application filing, or by an authorized examiner at any time after the APA. An applicant can request a conclusion of patent review in three ways: before issuance (attorney's office, Trademark Office or Patent and Trademark Office), after completion (attorney's office) or through a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issue correction request.

6.