What's the easiest way to get a patent?

[Scarpozzi]

I've never done this before, but have quite a few designs that I've drawn out over the years that I'd like to get patents for. I figure then I might be able to sell them and get rich quick. Does anyone know of the easiest way to do this?

 

[m2kewl]

send them to me - i'll help you out

 

[Armitage]

Easiest way is to work for a large company that has a dept. dedicated to doing this.
And even then its a real PITA.

Never done it solo.

 

[StageLeft]

I read at first and thought you were asking how to become a parent!

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
I read at first and thought you were asking how to become a parent!

I don't really understand how all THAT works either....

 

[brxndxn]

Is it the new ATOT thing to post that you were ignorant of the topic and interpreted it differently to be funny?


Anyway.. I also want to get patent so I'd like to see if anyone has much experience...

I hear there's a good patent book at Borders Book Store... Yup, about the extent of my patent knowledge.

 

[Yossarian]

The first thing you need to do is a patent search to see if your invention is new. There are a few websites that let you do that, I don't have them handy though. Or you can go to a patent attorney and let the pros do a search. That will cost maybe $1500 but it's insanely thorough.

If your invention is in fact new, or an improvement upon an existing product, you need to submit an application to the U.S. patent office. IIRC it costs about $1000 to file a patent, then you have to pay maintenance. $880 is due at 3.5 years, $2020 at 7.5 years, $3100 at 11.5 years.

It takes about a year from the time you submit the application until the patent is issued. Your invention is protected during this time, that's the "patent pending" you see on a lot of products.

We have a couple patent attorneys at my job and every year they give this little seminar "everything you wanted to know about patents". It's pretty dull but important if you need to protect your intellectual property.

Here's a little linky I found--

Patent FAQ

 

[Confide]

After hours upon hours of search with no avail... err.. wait... After entering my query: "How does one obtain a patent" under the google search engine, it returned a few links which have info on getting a patent for your ideas, one such i saw might be useful wasHerE
hopefully it helps you on your quest to become filthy F*** rich ....aww the american dream.
P.S. i read that your doodle.... wait... BLUEPRINTS must be very detailed with enough info that a skilled person might be able to reproduce the actual prototype using the drawing you've created.
Good Luck!! Confide

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi
I figure then I might be able to sell them and get rich quick.

Quick isn't part of the patent picture. But if your ideas are good, then you might possibly get rich. The patent process generally goes like this:
1) Write a patent document stating what your idea is, what you claim as new, original, and isn't common sense (you cannot patent something that everyone could come up with, even if it isn't patented yet).
2) Optional: pay a lawyer $100+ an hour to check your patent over. This can significantly help in getting your patent accepted, but isn't required.
3) Send the patent along with a large check to the government. I've never signed the check myself, but I think it is about $2000 per patent you file.
4) Wait months, and then wait again.
5) The government sends the patent back saying that it isn't new, it isn't original, and that anyone could have come up with the idea. I don't think any patent ever skips this step - it is just the way things go.
6) Rewrite your patent document, defending the reasons why it is new, original, and only you could come up with the idea.
7) Optional: pay that lawyer again to recheck the document.
8) Send the patent back (yep along with another 4 figure check - the extra money is probably one major reason you always have to file at least twice).
9) Wait months again, hoping that it is finally accepted (often only some claims are accepted and patentable, while they delete others).
10) If it is accepted, they might request you alter portions and file for a third and final time (yep another rewrite, and another check). Frequently this involves separting your patent into multiple patents if your idea is multifacited.

You are done. Total cost ~$5000 per patent. $10,000 wouldn't be unheard of. Total time, 1-2 years easilly. Then of course you have to sell the idea.

I'm currently on step 10.