Got the Next Big Idea? Learn How to Patent Your Invention and Protect Your IP

Got the Next Big Idea? Learn How to Patent Your Invention and Protect Your IP

Your invention can take you from one level to another as long as you know how to protect your invention. Without a patent, your invention is at risk of getting copied and used by other people and this can take the value right off your hands. A patent gives you exclusive rights to your inventions barring other people from using it in any way. 

To patent your invention, there are steps that you will need to follow.

Step 1: Know the type of patent that you need 

This is important since there are different types of patents. Your invention is only protected if it is within the right patent so be sure to choose the right one before applying for a patent. The common types of patents that you will find include:

• Utility patents which cover processes, product, machines and composition matters of a product or item. This is the most common type of patent and it can protect the way a product or machine is used and even how it works. Among the products that fall into this category include power hand tool or new car engines among others.
• Design patents covers design or shape that a manufactured product takes. It is especially important when creating ornamental features on a specific item. It can apply to all kinds of products.
• Software patents on the other hand offer you protection to original computer software. The fact is for this to apply there must be some patentable material within the software. It must prove to be unique and useful to an ordinary person in the computing field.
• Plant patents covers any asexually reproduced or invented variety of a plant. The rule for the patent is that the plant must not be found in uncultivated state and the multiplication must have been done without using genetic seeds. This is a unique kind of patent, but nonetheless important.

Step 2: File the patent application by type of patent you need 

There are basically three types of application you need to be aware of when filing for a patent.

They are: 

Provisional patent – this allows you to state the patent that you wish to have but at the same time giving you a patent pending option for the invention. The pending status gives you enough time to figure out whether to go on with full patent that amounts to non provisional patent. 

Non provisional patent – the patent protects your invention for 14 up to 20 years through a detailed application. You will need to include a description making it possible for another person to recreate the invention. The challenge in this application is probably in the drafting of invention specifications. Well-versed attorneys can help you with how to patent an invention correctly using even drawings to make the right expression in the invention description. 

International patent – it protects the invention across all countries that are within the Patent Cooperation Treaty. There are a number of countries under the agreement and your invention will be protected across the board. 

If you have been wondering how to patent an invention hassle-free, you can easily use the help of valuable patent attorneys to protect what you value most. Through the attorneys, you can have all your questions regarding patents answered as well. Remember, it’s not the first person who has the great idea, it is the first person to patent it is the one who protects it with ownership.

 Patent Attorney, Patent Lawyer