How to Get a Patent
A patent is a formal document granting property rights to an entity that has invented a particular item. If you have created a device or an instrument you think will have strong potential in the market, you need to get a patent for it. A patent is the best way to ensure your invention will not be copied by other persons or groups.
Steps to Get a Patent
- To get a patent, you first have to perform extensive patent research. You need to be very sure no one has created your invention yet and has acquired a patent for it. You may use the Internet in performing a patent search.
If you live in the United States, you can visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). You can find here patents going back to the 1970s. If you have an invention no one has invented during and after 1971, you have a good chance of acquiring a patent for your item.
- Once you are certain that your invention hasn’t been created and patented by other individuals yet, you can apply for a patent for it.A patent has two major types: provisional and regular.
A provisional patent is a more common choice for inventors. It is easier to acquire and is relatively inexpensive. You should, however, be aware that a provisional patent lasts for one year. After one year, you need to get a regular patent for your item. A provisional patent application contains the following parts:
- Cover page
- Detailed description of the item
- Drawings of the item
- You need to pay a fee for the patent application. On the other hand, a regular patent consists of two major parts: the specification and the claims.
The specification is a very detailed description of how your invention was made and how it’s used. As a rule, you need to make the specification detailed enough that an individual having the same skills as yourself can reproduce the item. The specification should also have drawings of the item. The claims should clearly and thoroughly explain the unique and new aspects of your item.
- You can submit your application to the USPTO. It will then process your application and notify you if your item has been approved for a patent.
