So you’re ready to patent an invention idea?
Normally, this is a good thing. But it’s not quite as simple as just sending your idea off to the patent office and waiting for them to send you a patent. There are a few things you need to know about patents before you get started.
What Is a Patent?
A patent is a document that gives its holder the sole right to make, sell or use an invention for a limited period of time — usually 20 years from the date of filing. During this time, no one else can use that invention without permission from the inventor or their assignee (the person who bought the rights to the invention). The idea behind patents is that they encourage innovation by letting inventors profit from their ideas as explained in https://urbanmatter.com/inventhelp-reviews-and-frequently-asked-questions/ article.
How Do You Get a Patent?
You can get a patent in two ways:
You can file an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This is called “prosecution” and takes about 18 months on average at current wait times. You can also file directly in foreign countries through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) system which allows applicants to file one international application that then goes before all member countries at once instead of having to file in each country separately. This can save time and money, but it also requires an additional step of translation into many languages.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is the federal agency that issues patents in the United States. You can file an application directly with them or through a patent attorney or agency like InventHelp. The USPTO will help you determine if your idea is patentable and can even provide you with a preliminary search of prior art to see if the idea has been patented before. If it hasn’t, they will help you file for a provisional patent which allows you to have full ownership over your invention while preventing others from making and selling it while they review it further.
InventHelp has been around for many years and is one of the best resources for inventors as seen in this InventHelp review. They specialize in helping people with ideas get them off the ground, and they can help you file for a provisional patent if needed.
