Detail Guide to Intellectual Property Protection
The probability of
acquiring a patent for invention you’ve created is an interesting one. However,
for many inventors, the method might also seem complicated, and maybe even
scaring. If you’re doubtful of what steps you should take to shield your work,
there is a process which will help you and is easy to understand.
- Discover what kind of intellectual property (IP)
protection you require
There are different
types of IP protection which includes patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade
secrets. So it’s vital to understand what type(s) of intellectual property
protection the inventor must apply to their invention before moving ahead.
- Assess if your invention is patentable.
An invention must be
unique, non-obvious and beneficial to be qualified to receive patent
protection. A patent search is an indispensable step in managing patentability,
and the inventor can get started using the United States Patent and Trademark
Office (USPTO) website.
- Ascertain what type of intellectual property protection
suits to your invention.
Depending on the
quality of your work, the inventor needs to decide whether they require a
utility patent, a design patent, a plant patent or a combination of these. The
inventor needs to understand these patent types before starting an application
for any of these patents.
- Plan to apply.
Consider the costs and
decide whether you require to use professional legal services. If you’re
attempting for a utility or plant patent, you should decide if you want to file
a provisional or non provisional application. A provisional application is a
modest way to establish a U.S filing date for your invention, which can then be
insisted in your non-provisional application.
- Finish and submit the initial application.
Once the inventor
decides what type of intellectual property
protection they require,
they must follow the patent application guides provided by the USPTO. Before
they sign the application, make sure to read the written specification and
requirements. Most importantly, the creator would not be able to add anything
new to the application once it has been filed with the United States Patent and
Trademark Office (USPTO).
- Consult patent examiner.
The examiner will
review the application and determine if it satisfies all requirements. Keep in
mind that if the owner has chosen legal representation, once the application is
filed by a patent attorney, the USPTO will only connect with your attorney or agent.
- Get approval.
If the patent examiner
affirms that the application meets its requirements, the inventor
will receive a notice of
allowance, which will
list the issue fee and may also involve the publication fee that must be paid
for the patent to be declared.
- Sustain your patent protection.
Once the inventor gets
the patent, they have to make sure it remains in authority. To maintain the
protection beyond four, eight and 12 years after the issue date for utility
patents, the maintenance fees are needed.
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