Imagine you having a new invention that can change the world for the better. You can protect it from dishonest people by getting a granted patent. A granted patent will secure the invention. It will exclude others from using or selling products based on your invention. Granted patents also protect other types of intellectual property: designs, brand names, trademarks, and automated processes.
Role of Provisional Patent Application
Wikipedia defines a provisional patent application as a legal document issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. It establishes an early filing date of the invention. It does not make the invention secure from infringement. If somebody steals it, you do not have the right to sue the thief. A provisional patent application gives intellectual property “patent pending” status.
Marketing materials and websites for intellectual property can include “patent pending” signs to raise money and to sell the products.
Do I Need to Hire a Patent Attorney?
An entrepreneur from Forbes magazine recommends starting the process without an attorney. Hire an attorney to write the final version. By that time, the attorney will get insights into the author. That will help avoid many problems. Attorneys warn people about disclosing information about intellectual property. Attorneys know how to protect information.
Patent attorney Minneapolis MN can decide if the invention is patentable. Patent laws and regulations can prevent authors to get a patent. There are cases when an invention has to be tweaked to get a patent.
Entrepreneurs and Start-Ups Make Mistakes During a Patenting Process
There are a few common mistakes that entrepreneurs make during the patenting process here are just a few:
- Disclosing the idea to people without signing a confidentiality agreement.
People get excited about their patent. By talking too much they can jeopardize protection of the patent.
- Not having enough funds for the expensive process.
Entrepreneurs always have to remember that it takes a long time to go through the process. It can take up to three years to get a granted patent. The cost can go up fast and climb to tens of thousands of dollars.
- Not preparing professional pictures, illustrations, or drawings.
Attorneys always recommend inventors to hire professional artists to make drawings and illustrations. The drawings increase a chance of getting the patent.
- Not doing search before starting to build a start-up.
There are patented products that do not become popular. If you have an identical product, and your product gains popularity, you can be accused of infringement. Search internet, stores and catalogs even before hiring an attorney.
- Skipping on hiring an attorney.
Patent and Trademark Office allows everybody to apply online for the patent. Many do-it-yourself people do not want to hire an attorney. These people can run into bigger problems of losing tons of money and wasting several years by doing it wrong. Patenting is a complex process.
Getting the right attorney for the job is important. When an entrepreneur is creating a new product using an invention it can end in disaster. The process should be treated seriously, and a lot of research should go into getting a patent.
