Post by thebastidge on Jan 4, 2018 16:45:11 GMT
You can patent your idea if it's a process, a machine, an article of manufacture, a composition of matter, or an improvement of any of these. For example, you could patent a new shape for a boat or plane, even if you haven't actually built it.
The idea has to be new, non-obvious and useful. It basically has to be a significantly different and improved process if something similar is already being done.
Start here: www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/applying-online/getting-started-new-users
"To get your unique Customer Number, please download and complete the Customer Number Request form [PDF] and fax it to the Electronic Business Center at 571-273-0177."
www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/patent-process-overview
Low income persons may qualify under the Pro Bono Assistance program:
www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-bono/patent-pro-bono-program
For filing on your own without an attorney or agent:
www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-se-assistance-program
A good place to get a feel for how patents are written is patents.google.com. You can do a preliminary, unofficial (FREE) search for similar ideas to help you determine if your idea is unique enough to qualify for a patent, or if someone has already patented it. You can "adopt the format/adapt the language' of other patent applicants for describing your own idea.
Note that fees are graduated based upon entity size.
www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/fees-and-payment/uspto-fee-schedule#Patent Fees
Utility Patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or compositions of matters, or any new useful improvement thereof. By far, most patent applications filed at the USPTO are utility applications.
Applying for a Utility Patent
Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.
Definition of a Design Patent
Difference Between Design and Utility Patents
The idea has to be new, non-obvious and useful. It basically has to be a significantly different and improved process if something similar is already being done.
Start here: www.uspto.gov/patents-application-process/applying-online/getting-started-new-users
"To get your unique Customer Number, please download and complete the Customer Number Request form [PDF] and fax it to the Electronic Business Center at 571-273-0177."
www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/patent-process-overview
Low income persons may qualify under the Pro Bono Assistance program:
www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-bono/patent-pro-bono-program
For filing on your own without an attorney or agent:
www.uspto.gov/patents-getting-started/using-legal-services/pro-se-assistance-program
A good place to get a feel for how patents are written is patents.google.com. You can do a preliminary, unofficial (FREE) search for similar ideas to help you determine if your idea is unique enough to qualify for a patent, or if someone has already patented it. You can "adopt the format/adapt the language' of other patent applicants for describing your own idea.
Note that fees are graduated based upon entity size.
www.uspto.gov/learning-and-resources/fees-and-payment/uspto-fee-schedule#Patent Fees
Utility Patents may be granted to anyone who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or compositions of matters, or any new useful improvement thereof. By far, most patent applications filed at the USPTO are utility applications.
Applying for a Utility Patent
Design patents may be granted to anyone who invents a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.
Definition of a Design Patent
Difference Between Design and Utility Patents