The process of obtaining a patent can be time-consuming, but it can also be very rewarding. It’s important to understand the steps involved in the patent application process before you start working on your invention.
The process starts with an idea for a new product or invention. You may have an idea for a new invention, or you may have developed an invention after seeing or using someone else’s product. You’ll need to decide whether your idea is worth pursuing and whether the idea is unique enough to warrant a patent.
Once you’ve decided that your idea is worth pursuing, you’ll need to prepare a patent application. Patent applications are generally filed by inventors (or their attorneys) with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
The USPTO grants patents on inventions in order to help foster innovation by ensuring that other people don’t copy your ideas and that you get credit for them if they do.
If you decide to file a patent application, you should make sure that your idea is unique and useful enough to warrant one. You may wish to consult with an patent agency, such as InventHelp, or a patent attorney for assistance in this process.
The patent process usually takes about a year, but it can take longer. Once your patent application is submitted and reviewed by the USPTO, you’ll receive an official patent number for your invention.
Types of Patents
The USPTO offers three types of patents: provisional, utility, and design. A provisional patent is a faster way to protect your idea than a utility or design patent. It’s cheaper and simpler to file than other types of patents but doesn’t offer as much protection. Utility patents are more common and last longer than provisional patents as you can read from https://sundial.csun.edu/172022/sundialbrandstudio/sundial-marketplace/inventhelp-reviews-inventor-patent-services-for-invention-ideas/.
Utility Patents: Protect new processes, machines, products or compositions of matter. Utility patents are the most common type of patent, protecting new processes, machines, products or compositions of matter.
Design Patents: This type of patent protects the visual appearance of an article of manufacture. A design patent must have some inventive feature that makes it distinguishable from what has gone before.
Plant Patents: Protect new varieties of plants (specific plant species or plant cultivars). Plant patents are governed by separate statutory provisions than utility patents in Title 35 of U.S. Code (the Patent Law) and are issued for a term of 20 years from the date on which the application for such plant protection was filed in the United States or from the date an international application was filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT).
Conclusion
Patents are a very valuable asset for inventors and companies. A patent can give you the exclusive right to make, use, sell or import your invention in the U.S. for up to 20 years. This means that no one else can profit from your invention without your permission during that time period.
