An Inventor’s Guide to Patenting Inventions the Right Way!

Kudos to you for recognizing the need to protect your invention with a patent! But, there is a RIGHT way and a WRONG way to do this.  Securing a patent is not something that you will want to attempt to do without a qualified patent attorney.  It is not impossible to obtain a patent but you want to ensure the claims of the patent are not too narrow so that they can easily be infringed. Most inventors won’t realize their patent is narrow until it is actually infringed.  Here’s the right way to protect your invention:

1. Research prior art to determine if the invention is patentable to ensure the invention is novel and non-obvious.
2. Consult with an attorney to ensure the search is thorough.  It is important to be able to articulate reasons the invention is patentable when you are ready to market or pitch the invention.
3. Have realistic expectations of the patent application process and allow your attorney to do the work they are trained to do.

Researching will help you to identify potential licensees and ensure you are not spending unnecessary money on a patent. Some inventions are not patentable but they are marketable and profitable.  An attorney can help you to cut costs and foresee issues that may occur during the patent prosecution process.  Lastly, when you allow an attorney to guide you in navigating a patent application through the process, you can take the time to seek licensors or buyers.   Secure your patent the right way!

Resource: All About Inventing Everything You Need to Know About Patents From a Former USPTO Patent Examiner and Patent Attorney