Does a patent really protect you?

Contrary to popular belief, a patent does not protect your technology from being infringed upon by a competitor. It merely affords you with legal recourse in the event that someone does.

How does a patent process work?

The process for getting a patent has four steps.

1. Step 1: File an application for patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
2. Step 2: Examination of patent application.
3. Step 3: Respond to any objections or rejections made by the examiner.
4. Step 4: Patent grant.

Do you need a prototype for a patent?

Many inventors wonder if they need a prototype prior to patenting an invention. The simple answer is “no’. A prototype is not required prior to filing a patent application with the U.S. Patent Office. While prototypes can be valuable in developing your invention, they can also be costly.

What are patents and how do they work?

Patents are given by a government and are a way of giving the inventor ownership of their creation. For a specific period of time, a patent holder is allowed to control how the invention is used and allows them to realize financial gain from their work. A patent is a legally binding manifestation of a person’s intellectual property.

What is a patent and how does it work?

Patents are a government’s way of giving an inventor ownership of his or her creation. For a certain period of time, patent-holders are allowed to control how their inventions are used, allowing them to reap the financial rewards of their work.

What is the process of getting a patent?

The drafting and filing of a patent, followed by ongoing communications with the patent examiner, is called patent prosecution or the process to get a patent. Patent prosecution is performed by people registered to practice before the patent office in question.

What qualifies as a patent?

A patent is a government-awarded license that grants the inventor of a product or process exclusive rights to its manufacture, use or sale for a specified time period. The word patent comes from the Latin patere (to lay open), which translates as to make available for inspection.