Getting an idea is a very first step in bringing revolution. You develop or create things by getting an idea of it however if that idea only gets stolen someone else will take the credit for it and might also build capital with it.
This is something that no one will ever want to happen to them. That is why things like intellectual property, patents, and trademarks got introduced in the world —- to protect invention and invention ideas.
Let’s talk about patents. The patent is a legal issuing of ownership rights of an invention to the person who has applied for it. The patent is to protect invention ideas and concepts. Although, securing your intellectual assets is the most vital step in protecting and thus it's a wise decision to patent your idea.
Now, if you are wondering how to protect your ideas with a patent, read the article till the end for quick tips.
5 Quick Tips To Protect Ideas With a Patent
To start with, the entire procedure of submitting and getting a patent is quite lengthy and complex. But it has its significance as well. The power that a patent gives you are:
- A patent protects an idea so that no one else can claim ownership of the product.
- If an infringement occurs, you can take help from the legal authorities to avoid any problems that can happen to protect your invention idea from getting stolen.
- It gives you the freedom to construct and commercialise the product.
- Your invention will acquire a higher marketplace
Let’s continue with quick tips to know how to patent an idea:
1. Find Out If Your Idea is Eligible To Be Patented or Not
In order to protect your idea through a patent, you have to consider three certain conditions. These conditions are:
- Novelty
- Innovation
- Commercial applicability
Your invention should showcase a new feature or function that is unknown within the literature frame. So that a general individual with competency in that particular subject should not be capable to deduce it easily. Moreover, by submitting the patent, you have to describe it in enough detail so that the individual with a usual skill set can’t replace it. Also, the idea to b patented should have a commercial application as well.
2. Do Thorough Patent Research Before Submitting the Patent Application
Before patenting your idea you have to make certain that the invention you are performing is no longer been done or published in any way. You can confirm this through an exhaustive patent search.
Are you thinking, about how to research a patent idea?
You can:
- Search via valid databases consisting of WIPO.
- Go through a complete patent using the keywords, phrases, inventor names, etc., by using Google’s patent search.
- You can also seek professional storage from useful patent and trademark resources.
- You can carry out research inside magazine articles by yourself.
3. Collect all the Data and Make a Workable Prototype
To safeguard your idea with a patent, you need to have documentation or a feasible prototype of your invention at the earliest stage. It is possible that other inventors might be operating on a comparable product, but you don't have to show the chronology of your invention. This way your idea can be protected with a patent.
A daily journal, sketches, photographs, and videos can be a way to memorialize your entire invention process. Digital documents will assist you in setting up a claim for your invention.
4. Get Signed the IP Agreements and the Confidentiality agreements
Before going to a patent attorney or a patent providing company in the USA, you should not release any record publicly related to your innovation. Because public disclosure triggers diverse legalities through which the rights can be irrevocably lost.
You should have written documentation that is signed by witnesses.
5. Prepare Yourself for Provisional and International Patent Applications
You can apply for a provisional patent application to defend your invention idea fast and for less money. A provisional patent will protect your rights for one year meanwhile you can collect the materials and economic assets to document your non-provisional application.
The term “patent pending” means your invention is provisionally patented. However, you will need a global patent to defend your idea entirely.
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