Protecting & Profiting From Patented Inventions

Many people create inventions and obtain patents. But after you obtain a patent, a bigger challenge looms. How do you profit from your patented innovation. Learn the basics about enforcing patent rights, profiting from your patent, and protecting your patent when pitching it.

You want to show your invention to potential manufacturers distributors. But how can you do so without risking your intellectual property?

Inventors ordinarily profit from their inventions by licensing them to manufacturers or distributors for a certain period of time.

Patents can help you profit from your invention.

If someone violates your patent, you can take legal steps to stop the infringement. But your patent rights are not valid forever.

Three free sample patent assignment agreements.

I gave a company an idea in writing. The company told me they were not interested. Shortly thereafter, the company ended up making a similar product—some minor changes, same name—and selling it in many stores. What can I do?

Claims for patent infringement are subject to statutes of limitations, or time limits.

If a competitor infringes on your patented invention, you may want to initiate patent litigation. What sorts of damages are you entitled to claim in such a lawsuit?

Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo

Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.

Protect and profit from your invention
A plain-English guide to intellectual property law
Get everything you need to protect your inventions when you share them with potential buyers or licensees.
Use this legal form to help you protect your interest in your creation, quickly and easily.

Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.

More Legal Issues

Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.

Learn About Our Team

Learn About Our Team

Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.

Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.

Need a Lawyer? We Can Help

Find an experienced, local attorney in three easy steps. Our process is designed for ease and simplicity.

01

Describe Your Case

Briefly tell us about your case, and provide your contact information.

02

Get Connected

We find and instantly list attorneys that can best handle your case.

03

Hire an Attorney

Choose the attorneys you would like to work with.

Integrity and Expertise You Can Rely On

Get Professional Help
Talk to a Patent attorney.
How It Works
  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you