8 easy steps to patent an idea
Federal governments grant inventors an exclusive right that gives them total ownership over their idea. These grants are called patents and provide protection for a period of time. To get a patent, the inventions must be concrete, useful, and unique. Naturally occurring substances and laws of nature, among others, cannot be patented under any circumstance. Some examples of patentable inventions include
- Medical devices
- Computer/tech products
- Chemical formulas
- Musical instruments
- Medications
Three different kinds of patents are recognized, they are
- Utility patent
Around 90 percent of all patent ideas fall under this type. New machines and processes qualify as a utility patent and are valid for 20 years from the date of filling.
As the name suggests, this patent is granted to unique designs of a product or manufactured object.
The invention of a new and distinct variety of plant through means of asexual reproduction falls under this patent category.
How to fill a patent application form?
The regulatory authority for everything concerned with patents is the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). It has laid down specific rules for filing applications, which are explained below:
- Explore the USPTO (and other) databases
It’s not entirely impossible that your invention could have already been patented earlier. So, before filling the application form, breeze through the USPTO database and a few other publications to ensure your product is indeed unique.
The USPTO recommends contacting a registered patent attorney for filing your application. This is because the process can get slightly challenging and an attorney can help avoid mistakes that could prove costly later.
As explained earlier, there are three types of patent. So, determine which kind fits your idea.
Filing a provisional application allows you to claim the right over the invention before anyone else.
The USPTO encourages inventors to fill their ideas through the Electronic Filing System (EFS-Web). It’s just as efficient as paper-based filing and allows authors to submit their inventions as is.
In this step, you’ll need to explain your entire invention from scratch. This includes defining the objective, abstract, methodology, etc. We advise taking the advice of an attorney.
After completing the application, review it time and again to make sure it explains your invention as perfectly as possible.
A patent examiner is assigned to every case. Working closely with them ensures that any of their doubts are quickly cleared and your application moves forward. Upon approval from the examiner, you or your attorney will be notified.
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