| A whole bunch of things is invented everyday. People | | | | your invention meets all the criteria proposed by the |
| use other ideas to create a structure for their | | | | USPTO, it is ready to be analyzed by the staff there. |
| inventions or try to make something completely new. | | | | The examination makes sure that your invention is |
| Inventions are the product of our mind, and we | | | | ready to be patented. If nobody invented it before, |
| should be able to obtain benefits when creating | | | | it will be approved and you can move to the next |
| something that is useful and new. But, like in all fields, | | | | step. |
| some people will try and commit frauds by taking | | | | Demonstrating the usefulness and the way your |
| what is right for others, in other words, stealing one's | | | | invention works is another part of the process, the |
| intellectual property. | | | | USPTO will also make some scientific tests to see if |
| Due to frauds, like the one described above, | | | | the invention fits their categories and requirements. |
| inventors lose a lot of money and their effort is | | | | After this, the administered patent exam is taken. |
| completely useless, so this is why some sort of | | | | This exam makes sure that your invention meets all |
| protection would be useful. New laws regarding | | | | the regulations in the USPTO and it is called the |
| copying and distributing intellectual property can | | | | United States Patent and Registration Office exam. |
| protect people's innovations. The law protects your | | | | Some people might choose to be alone during the |
| designs and patent from stealing or using without | | | | process. If you don't want to hire a lawyer, first you |
| permission, but you must first learn more about this | | | | have to make sure that you understand the whole |
| process. | | | | process and can represent yourself. Making |
| The institution that deals with protecting intellectual | | | | everything on your own means that you fill a patent |
| property is known as States Patent and Trademark | | | | pro se. People who have no idea about the USPTO |
| Office. Acting as a subdivision of the US government, | | | | shouldn't try this, because it tends to get complicated |
| this institution will make sure that your intellectual | | | | and they will feel overwhelmed at some point. |
| property is verified and protected. So, if you need | | | | Being mentally prepared is not enough because |
| something patented, you can do it with the help of | | | | registering also means that you will spend a lot of |
| the USPTO. The disadvantage of the whole process | | | | money. Especially on the lawyer fees, which will cost |
| is the fact that it needs a lot of time and it's a bit | | | | you over US$20, 000. So you have to think good |
| complicated for a newbie. But if you really want to | | | | before making this step, otherwise you could lose a |
| patent something easier, you should find a lawyer | | | | lot of money and time. Also, knowing about the |
| who is interested in such matters; there are many | | | | system of patenting will help you a lot so make sure |
| lawyers out there who are specialized with laws | | | | you understand everything that is involved in the |
| regarding intellectual property. | | | | process. |
| You will receive great help during the process from a | | | | These are the main things that should be known by |
| specialized lawyer. Also, they will make sure that you | | | | anyone who wants to patent their innovations. |
| completely understand the process and you are | | | | Before you decide to start the whole procedure, ask |
| ready to participate. The lawyer should assist you | | | | a specialized lawyer to clear things for you and |
| during each step, making sue that everything is right. | | | | explain the advantages and disadvantages that |
| But the thing you need to do, in order to start the | | | | include it. |
| process, is show the blueprint and a prototype of | | | | Only if you are sure that your invention will succeed |
| your innovation to your lawyer, to show that you | | | | start this hard and long process, otherwise you risk |
| are the inventor. | | | | losing a big amount of time and money for something |
| You will have to sign some documents prepared by | | | | that brings you no profit. |
| your lawyer in order to apply to the USPTO. When | | | | |