"How do you patent an invention?" is one of the most common questions asked by budding inventors across the globe. While it might seem like an impossible task, the truth is that getting a patent on your product or idea is not as hard as you may think. If you are thinking about creating a new product or service, or have come up with something that you want to protect by getting a patent, then there are some steps that will help you get your patent on an invention. Read this complete guide to learn more!
Why do you need a patent for your invention?
A patent is a legal right that prevents other people from taking your idea and using it as their own. If you file a patent for your invention, it acts as a warning to other companies that they can’t make your product to sell as their own.Basically, this puts your patent in the public domain and removes the barrier to claiming ownership of an idea. 2 Benefits of Patents Patents make it easier to get your idea protected. Because your idea isn’t in the “public domain,” other people couldn’t make your invention to sell. If they did, however, they can do quite a bit of damage to your business. For the most part, it is very difficult to prove that someone infringed your idea. A lot of the times, people get a patent without doing anything illegal. As difficult as it might be for someone to prove that your idea was infringed, you have quite a bit of protection if you file for a patent. However, you must convince a judge that you have “substantial rights” to the idea so that you can force the infringer to pay you damages. If you receive any money from a lawsuit brought by an infringer, then you can pursue legal action against them. 3 How Do You Get a Patent? Before you can start thinking about getting your patent, you need to think about what kind of patent you want. You want a patent that covers your invention, specific techniques to make it, and a way to assign the rights to the idea. It's important to get a patent if your invention has commercial potential because it will allow you to get a higher price for your invention. Here are some steps on how to get a patent, along with a list of some of the more common patent applications.
How much does it cost to get a patent?
According to the USPTO, the basic filing fee for a non-provisional utility patent application is $330. If you’re filing by yourself, you can file using the “EASY” filing method which eliminates the $165 fee for filing a basic description of your invention.Keep reading to learn how to file and how your patent application will be processed.
As you will see in the patent application itself, the patent application is a lengthy document that goes into far more detail about your invention and describes how it works. However, before we go any further, I would first argue that a detailed explanation is not usually necessary to get your invention patented in the first place. It is truly up to the inventors to tell the world about their innovation. Thus, we are only concerned with the "How do you get a patent on an invention?" or "How do you obtain a patent for an invention?" questions listed in the quoted section of the patent application.
Imagining the Future of Your Invention
Many people think that getting a patent is the best way to protect their new invention. It is true that a patent gives you absolute control over your invention but it does not guarantee an exclusive right to your invention. Thus, you might consider getting a patent first to ensure that you protect your idea. And if others have come up with an innovation similar to yours, you can work with them on a licensing agreement that allows them to use your invention in their product without securing a granted patent. You may even decide to make your invention open source. All in all, it is important to consider your invention before you decide to discuss your idea in depth with others. Remember that a little research before you describe your invention can save you a lot of trouble down the road.
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