| Have you developed or had the inkling to develop | | | | cannot be issued for old ideas described in books |
| something that might benefit mankind as a whole? Or | | | | that have been made feasible with modern |
| have you just developed something that will make | | | | technology. For example, scholar A that lived in 300 |
| kitchen life easier in your garage? Regardless of what | | | | AD may have had an idea that wasn't practical at the |
| your current or future inventions may be you need | | | | time due to technological limitations. |
| to take the steps to protect them. Getting a patent | | | | If he published his idea publicly and it is general public |
| on your item is the first step to insuring no one can | | | | knowledge then inventor B cannot get a patent for |
| copy your product or cheat you out of money. | | | | making it work in the modern world. This is due to |
| In order to get a patent for your device, product, or | | | | the fact that the original inventor publicized his |
| service you have to have three things. These are | | | | invention at the time even though it was a flight of |
| money, a journal outlining what it is your offering, and | | | | fancy so to speak. This is an extreme example but it |
| diagrams to illustrate how it works. These can differ | | | | does get the point across. A person may only apply |
| in form, presentation, function, or implementation but | | | | for a patent if their idea is unique, has not been done |
| they are needed in order to get a patent. You have | | | | before, and is currently not in use by another entity |
| to be able to show that your device works and how | | | | in any known country. |
| it works in order for it to be categorized with the | | | | People who file patents jointly both receive the rights |
| patent office. After you have acquired your patent | | | | to the patent provided that they both helped |
| you have 20 years to research, refine, develop, and | | | | develop the idea. In the instance where one person |
| market your product with no competition. | | | | simply provides the money and another comes up |
| However you don't need a patent to begin | | | | with the idea the person who comes up with the |
| production and marketing of your product. You can | | | | idea will get the patent. This also applies when one |
| begin producing and selling your idea immediately if | | | | person merely follows the instructions of the one |
| you don't mind cheap imitations and copycat service | | | | who actually came up with the idea. |
| popping up around you. When you do this and apply | | | | While patenting your device takes some time and |
| for a patent your product or service will often be | | | | effort it is worth it. Once a patent is in place no one |
| labeled patent pending meaning that your application | | | | else can compete with your exact product for 20 |
| has been submitted. | | | | years. This is a lot of time to make improvements |
| When acquiring a patent you have to check to make | | | | and solidify your place in the market. It's important to |
| sure your invention is not already in use. The rules | | | | note that the investments that you make during this |
| are that if the service, invention or product is used in | | | | period will make or break your business so spend |
| this or another country you cannot patent it. Patents | | | | wisely and avoid business pitfalls. |