Learn these five steps to patent a product
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Learn these five steps to patent a product

The bulb above your head is shining so brightly that it threatens to blind everyone around you.

49
Learn these five steps to patent a product


The bulb above your head is shining so brightly that it threatens to blind everyone around you.

But what should you do with your great ideas of invention? Before you start prattling about your invention with the wrong person or running to the first company that offers to buy it, you have to do one thing: protect it. This can be an intimidating process, so we will try to break it down in five easy steps.

Step 1: Document it

It is not enough to have an idea is useless, it is necessary to have proof of when the idea of the invention occurred to you. Write down everything you can think that relates to your invention, from what it is and how it works to how you are going to make it and market it. This is the first step to patent your invention idea and protects it from being taken. You have probably heard of the patent of the poor - write your idea in a letter and mail it to yourself in a sealed envelope as proof of the date of conception of your invention.

Step 2: The investigation

You will have to investigate your idea from a legal and business point of view. Before filing a patent, you must:

Complete an initial patent search. The fact that you have not seen your invention before does not mean that it does not already exist. Before hiring a patent attorney or agent, complete a rudimentary search to make sure that no one else has patented your idea. You must also complete a different one of the search patents of the prior art. If you find any type of artwork or design related to your idea, it cannot be patented regardless of whether a previous patent has been filed.

Step 3: Make a prototype

A prototype is a model of your invention that puts into practice all the things you have written in the inventor's journal. This will demonstrate the design of your invention when presented to potential lenders and licensees. Do not present a patent before having made a prototype. You will almost always discover a flaw in your original design or think of a new feature that you would like to add. If you patent your idea before training these folds, it will be too late to include them in the patent and you will risk losing the patent rights of the new design to someone else.

Step 4: application for a patent

Now that you have worked all the imperfect of your design, it is time to present a patent. There are two main patents among which you will have to choose: a utility patent (for new processes or machines) or a design patent (for the manufacture of new, non-obvious ornamental designs).

You can write the patent and fill out the application yourself, but it is not advisable to present it yourself until you have had a conversation with a professional patent expert, at least as a first step. If the invention is really valuable, someone can infringe his right. If you do not have a strong patent written by a patent attorney or agent, you will be throwing money away and dealing with a lot of problems later, when a competitor finds a loophole that allows you to copy your idea.

Step 5: Market your invention

Now is the time to find out how you are going to take your product to market. Create a business plan to earn money. Where are you going to manufacture the product? How are you going to sell it? Now is a good time to decide if you are going to manufacture and sell the product yourself, or to grant licenses for sale through another company. When you go through the process and grant a license for your product it is likely that you will only receive two percent to five percent of royalties. This often frightens inventors who feel they deserve more. But consider the positive aspect: You will not have the financial burden associated with maintaining a business. This could end up making more money in the long term.

Following these five steps will ensure you an easy way to patent your invention. Just remember that an easy path does not necessarily mean a short one. From the moment of conceiving your idea at the same time that you see your product on the shelf is a very long process. Most inventions take years to bear fruit. Be patient and follow due diligence in your steps to patent your invention and your years of hard work will finally pay off.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

42595
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26737
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951816
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

139627
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments