| This brief article will give you a good breakdown of | | | | However, even though the Unites States Patent and |
| what a patent is. | | | | Trademark Office will issue the patent to you, they |
| When someone has an idea for a new product, it is | | | | do not enforce these patents. After you have been |
| necessary to file for ownership of the idea, especially | | | | granted a patent, you must be vigilant in making sure |
| if the industry is competitive enough for someone to | | | | no else illegally uses your product without their |
| want to steal it. In order to be recognized as the | | | | knowledge. |
| legitimate owner of something you have invented, | | | | If you find that someone has illegally used your |
| you will need to fill out a patent application with the | | | | product for profit, stolen your product concept or is |
| United States Patent and Trademark Office | | | | using it in a way that you don't approve of, it's up to |
| (henceforth USPTO), to legally hold ownership for | | | | your to get an attorney and sue them. You could |
| this invention. This right of ownership of the invention | | | | also go it alone and represent yourself but whatever |
| prevents other people from manufacturing the | | | | you do, you need to start litigation so that you can |
| product without your consent. | | | | stop the illegal use of your patent. |
| According to the Patent Law, patents are granted | | | | You can seek damages and financial restitution for |
| for a period of approximately twenty years, | | | | the use of your registered patent. |
| depending on the patent. This would mean that the | | | | You now know what a patent is so that you can |
| inventor of the product then possesses ownership of | | | | decide how you would like to use it to protect |
| that trademark for a twenty-year period. | | | | yourself and your business. |