How do I get a patent?

[SALvation]

Do any of you know the process of applying for a patent? Where should I go and how much does it cost?

 

[DAM]

I am no expert nor do I play one on tv, but this is what I've heard/know.


Seeking a patent actually involves a couple thousands of dollars. I have heard different numbers like 2000 to 20000. You should definetly seek legal advice in these matters. You can always do a poor mans patent, where you detail your idea/plan/device and mail it to yourself (regular snail mail) once you get that letter back do not open it and store it in a safe place.




dam()

 

[FoBoT]

get one of these books, they may be available at your library

"Patent it Yourself" - by David Pressman
? "Inventing and Patenting Sourcebook" - by Richard Levy

my favorite consumer advocate, ClarkHoward has this to say about patents/inventions

? Most ripoff invention services use a three-step program to steal money. They offer a free evaluation of the inventor's product through an 800-number, take $500 or so to fund "research," and later request another $5,000 to $6,000 for more extensive "market research."
? One such company was forced to disclose that less than 1 percent of the ideas people submit ever make it to market.
? Turn to the local bookstore or library for legitimate advice on how to bring inventions to market.
? It's important to create a working prototype of your idea, because companies won't buy ideas from sketches.
? Your best bet is to find an invention broker to propose your idea to a company.
? Non-profit inventors clubs, which can be found in many cities, also are excellent for sharing ideas and providing encouragement.

good luck! 🙂

 

[911paramedic]

It can be up to a couple grand. I used to do patent searches myself back when you had to visit a local office and search through hundreds of binders, now you can do most of it online.

You need to do a good patent SEARCH before you do anything else. Many new ideas have about 50 patents already. :Q Just go to the official site and do a quick search on your idea using keywords, but be warned that only the last 10-15 yrs (?) of patents are there, there are millions that are not. I thought I had a few good ideas to find a few of them patented back in the 60's.

Do your search though, dont let me get you down on it. I have had a couple good ideas that were not patented yet but was unable to fund, or find funding, to do anything with them.

<--wishes he came up with the spork.

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

Originally posted by: DAM

Seeking a patent actually involves a couple thousands of dollars. I have heard different numbers like 2000 to 20000. You should definetly seek legal advice in these matters. You can always do a poor mans patent, where you detail your idea/plan/device and mail it to yourself (regular snail mail) once you get that letter back do not open it and store it in a safe place.

Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, but the intellectual property guys down at legal keep trying to tell me things.

The "mail yourself something using the postage cancellation as a timestamp" trick might serve you as a basis for prior art (the ability to demonstrate whether a patent is legal based on a comparison of the date of patent grant versus the date the idea/invention/device was published), but I suspect it imparts no legal protection or royalty compensation rights. At best, you might be able to use it to block someone else's patent from taking effect, but not to get someone else to pay you money for using your idea.

 

[rbhawcroft]

in the uk you apply to the uk patent office and i think you can go for just uk or worldwide.

its about 500usd for the patent, and more if you want them to research if there are any similar patents already listed.

if you want to use a lawyer then a patent lawyer will make that cost 2000usd plus.

if you write your own patent then make sure you understand what you are getting it for as a patent lawyer will definitely get you a prtective patent whereas you might not properly describe what it is that you are patenting, btw what is it anyway we are interested to know.

 

[SALvation]

Thanks for all the info guys. It's not an idea that I want to patent. It's a product/system that I have already made. I have a couple of huge meetings next week with potential clients so if one of them signs, a few thousand dollars will mean nothing.

 

[Nemesis77]

So, what are you planning to patent? Could you provide us any details? Why do I ask? Ummmm.... no reason, just being curious....

 

[SALvation]

Without giving too much away let's see if I can explain...

You know those .NET commercials where the guy is scanning the wine bottles with a PDA, and then the inventory is updated as the bottles fall down in the warehouse? My company developed something similiar, except that it's not wireless (yet) and it is used more for a loyalty card system and other various programs. Complete with plastic membership cards and all. It's different in ways it connects and the custom built programs it uses so I think it may qualify for one.

 

[Bozo Galora]

link 1

link 2

dunno - seems like you need a copyright, not a patent - but i'm not a lawyer