Patent Law
Got a great idea or invention that's novel and not obvious? Protect it the old-fashioned way with a patent issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Learn the basics on all things patentable including the basics on provisional patent applications, utility patent applications, patent drawings, patent enforcement, and patent searching.
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Patent law creates an important form of intellectual property right for inventors, businesses, and entrepreneurs.
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The USPTO's Patent Public Search Tool
What is the new Patent Public Search Tool?
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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 and licensing the invention to a third party.
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How the On-Sale Bar Could Prevent You From Obtaining a Patent
One's ability to obtain a patent depends on complying with the "on-sale bar," explained here.
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Basics of Provisional Patent Applications
Independent inventors are often faced with a nettlesome issue: How to show their brainchild to potential manufacturers without the risk that the manufacturer will "steal" the invention. Luckily, you can file a provisional patent application (PPA) -- filing a PPA is cheaper and easier than filing a regular patent application, and allows an inventor to claim "patent pending" status for 12 months.
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Understanding U.S. Patent Application Process
There are several steps to obtaining a patent through the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.
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How To File A Provisional Patent Application
A provisional patent application can be used by a patent applicant to secure a filing date while avoiding some of the costs and formalities associated with the filing and prosecution of a non-provisional patent application.
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Patent Drawings: How to Draw Your Own
Patent applicants are required to submit patent drawings when such drawings are necessary to understanding the invention. Can these drawings be done yourself, or must you hire a professional service?
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To obtain a patent, you must ensure that your invention qualifies and then be able to describe it in your application.
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You have a great idea and want to make money from it. Getting a patent can help you do that. The first step in getting a patent for your invention (or determining if you even qualify for one) is finding out if someone else already has a patent for your idea. If your invention is already patented, then you are out of luck. The quickest and easiest way to find out is to do an online patent search.
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How Do I Correct or Revise My Patent?
Even after a patent is issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, you can still seek certain amendments.
Protecting & Profiting From Patented Inventions
MoreProtecting & Profiting From Patented Inventions
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How to Protect Your Invention From Theft When Pitching It
You want to show your invention to potential manufacturers distributors. But how can you do so without risking your intellectual property?
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What Does the First-To-File Rule Mean For My Patent Application?
Through the American Invents Act, the United States patent system became "first-to-file."
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