How to Protect Your Invention When Pitching It

How do you preserve your trade secrets when shopping your invention? There are two popular strategies: file a provisional patent application (PPA) or use a nondisclosure agreement (NDA). Filing a PPA allows you to claim patent pending status and it preserves your place in line at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for one year. An NDA prohibits someone from disclosing your secret invention or its trade secrets.

Enforcing a Patent FAQ

If someone violates your patent, you can take legal steps to stop the infringement.

Patent Licensing: Before You License

Do you want to let someone else commercially use or develop your invention for a period of time?

Profiting From Your Patent FAQ

Once you have a patent, learn how to make it profitable by licensing or selling it.

Royalties and Deductions: The Give and Take

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

What Can I Do If a Company Uses My Product Idea Without Permission?

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