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If you have labored over an invention, crafted a new business model or develop a new medical technique, you have economic interests you need to protect by obtaining a patent or trademarking your invention. Patent laws in the U.S. are insanely complicated, and many people who apply for one are turned down. You can avoid being denied a patent by understanding the beginning stages of the process which we will discuss below.
Keep a Careful Record of Your Invention
During every stage of the invention or development process, you need to keep a clear record including how you came up with your invention, this can be invaluable information if there are questions about the uniqueness of your invention or idea or you face any trademark infringement claims.
Before you pay the application fee, you want to make sure that your invention hasn’t already been patented or that it is unique. The United States Patent and Trademark Office says your invention or idea should be unique or improve on an older invention.
You need to determine the economic value of the item you are trying to patent. The process can be costly between research, legal fees and application fees. You need to be sure the investment to get a trademark or patent is worth the time and effort.
There are millions of active patents and trademarks which you need to sift through to be sure your invention isn’t currently patented. You will also need to look for foreign patents. The patent search will be one of the most time-consuming aspects of the process.
You can start searching for your patent online, but you will likely need to visit a Patent and Trademark Depository Library. There are two locations in Missouri listed below:
Linda Hall Library
5109 Cherry St.,
Kansas City, MO 64110
St. Louis Public Library
1301 Olive St.,
St. Louis, MO 63103
The above steps may sound easy, but like many things, it sounds much easier than it really is and rate of failure is high. A consultation with a patent attorney in Missouri will give you an idea if you should embark on the patent or trademark process.
Examples of What Can Be Patented:
That is a narrow list of the things that can be patented. There are many other categories of things the USPTO will approve. Visit their website for more information.
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