Before Applying for a Patent
Before you file a utility patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office you should consider whether your invention merits the hefty patent filing fees (and perhaps attorneys fees, too). Learn what it takes to get a patent whether it is a business method patent, software patent, or traditional machine or process patent.
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How to Make Sure Your Business Really Owns Its Patents
How do you make sure that your business owns your patent?
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How Business Method Patents Protect Internet and Software Companies
Business method patents are issued to inventors that have devised novel ways of doing business, such as a new online ordering process or a unique Internet advertising scheme.
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Patent law creates an important form of intellectual property right for inventors, businesses, and entrepreneurs.
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Can I Get International Patent Protection?
The economy is increasingly global. You may need patent protection outside of the United States.
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Should You License or Manufacture Your Invention?
You have a great invention and a patent. But now how do you make money? Most inventors choose between manufacturing the invention themselves, or licensing the invention to a third party.
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What Are Improvement Patents and New Use Patents?
Improvement and new use patents are for inventions that improve on or feature new uses for existing inventions.
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How Do I Know If My Invention Is "Nonobvious" When Applying for a Patent?
Inventions must be non-obvious to receive patent protection.
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When Is a Combination Invention Patentable?
Many new inventions are combinations of existing inventions. For example, imagine that you wanted an all-purpose home warning system, so you combined a smoke detector with a severe weather warning device. Would the combination be patentable? That depends on how a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court is interpreted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Do I Qualify as a Small or Micro Entity for Patent Registration?
Patents are expensive for small businesses and inventors.
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What Qualifies as "Prior Art" When Applying for a Patent?
To secure a patent, an inventor must show that the invention is new.
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How "Useful" Must My Invention Be to Get a Patent?
Inventions must be "useful" to receive federal patent protection.
Talk to a Patent attorney.
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