Great inventions start with a bright idea.
Securing your invention provides a foundation for your success. Protecting an idea must be done before anything else in order to ensure that you will get the credit that you deserve for your invention. A creation can be fully protected if done properly. Because the process can be long and costly, you should prepare proprietary secrecy agreements before proceeding to secure your invention or idea.
Instructions
1. Check the existing and pending patents. Even if your idea was formed completely in your own head, there is a chance that someone else formed the same idea too. The first step is to do a search to make sure that you are the first. There may be an existing or pending patent that is too similar to your own idea. If not, you can move forward.
2. Prepare proprietary secrecy agreements. Chances are that you're not going to keep your invention from absolutely everyone before the patent is secured. Because the patent will take some time, start with proprietary secrecy agreements. These are contracts that should be signed by those to whom you reveal your invention or idea. The contract is simple and straightforward, saying that the party cannot talk about your invention until it is made public. Have a specific time frame in mind when drawing up the contract.
3. Move forward with the patent process.
- Determine the kind of patent you need: utility, which protects the function of devices and processes; design, which has to do with the appearance; or plant, which covers plant varieties.
- Contact the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to obtain the paperwork you will need to fill out.
- Turn in the paperwork and pay the fee.
At this point patience is key. The patent process is not immediate--nowhere near it, in fact. It will most likely take more than three years to get your patent. But with your proprietary secrecy agreements, you can pitch your invention to businesses. So although you must wait for the patent, you can move forward with your invention.
