How to Patent an Invention Idea

We cannot overemphasize the importance of patents, because the patent serves as an exclusive right declaring a person the owner of a new invention, and also granting the person the privilege of preventing others from selling, using, or making the very same invention. Hence, patents are very important for new inventions, and should not be trifled with. For a patent to get issued, the inventor needs to apply through established government agencies, and application usually entails submitting the technical information, among other requirements.

Patents are good, but there is the problem of a lot of inventors overvaluing the patents. If we want to be realistic, then it will not take rocket science for you to understand that as patented as an invention can be if it does not have a good market, it will fail, and all efforts put into patenting, wasted. A patent has the ability to help a company make some profit off the sale of the invention, at this point, the inventor is entitled to a royalty. It is advised that you avoid getting involved with companies that offer patent idea services because they can cajole you into spending so much money on patenting an idea, even when it is obvious that the invention will not survive on the market. Furthermore, the same companies are not likely to do a good job of attending to your patent needs, as an agent or patent lawyer of good repute will do. Patents are no child's play because they can be quite tricky. You can get a patent on almost anything; however, it is difficult getting a patent that is worth the money, time, stress, and effort. So, it is imperative that you keep in mind that even for a very simple mechanical invention to be patented can cost as much as $20,000. It is one thing to have a patent, and it is another to have a good patent because a good patent means you are getting your money's worth from the patented invention.

We know the intricacies of patents and applying for patents, thus we offer  affordable patent referral services. We have the best agents in the patent industry and can assist you with getting a patent when you need one.

Types of Patent

Basically, there are three classifications of patents, and each type comes with its own requirements and has protection for a particular type of discovery or invention, however, there is the possibility of having an invention having multiple types of patents. The three types of patents include:

• Utility Patents

This is unarguably the most common in patent types and takes care of machines, matter compositions, processes, and manufactures. Utility patents can be gotten for useful and new improvements to machines, matter compositions, processes and manufactures that are already existent.

• Machines: This refers to anything that has the generic name "machine," and that includes computers
• Matter compositions: This basically refers to chemical compositions.
• Processes: By processes, we are talking about methods employed to achieve an objective, and this involves technical or industrial processes.
• Manufactures: We define this as products or inventions that go through the processes of manufacturing.
• Plant Patents

Perhaps you did not know, but plants can get patented too. You can get a plant patent for the protection of distinctive and new plants. There are a few requirements needed when applying for this type of patent, and the requirements include:

• The plant can be reproduced asexually.
• Tuber propagated plants cannot be patented.
• The plant cannot be found in a state that indicates it is uncultivated.

It basically means that only plants that are produced as a result of cutting or grafting, can be patented, because it is a clear indicator that the person applying for the patent can reproduce the plant.

• Design Patents

When applying for a design patent, the design basically refers to the surface representation of the intended invention, and it may include details such as the configuration or shape of the proposed invention. Obtaining this type of patent protection requires that the object and the design be inseparable; however, the design patent only protects the design of the object, protecting the structural and functional parts of the proposed invention requires that you also apply to get a utility patent.

It is important to note that having a patented invention does not automatically translate to having a successful one, because we are well aware of the fact that there are so many products sold out there that are not patented, and they are successful. Hence, it is imperative that you have a very good marketing plan for your invention because if this is not put into consideration, the patent does not in any way guarantee success on the market.

If you are wondering how to patent an idea, or how much it costs to patent an idea, we are here to help you through the processes. Irrespective of the type of patent you need, you can only get the patent protection after filling the patent application form.

Typical Patent Costs

This is one part that is important, and it is advisable that your invention has a good market, because filing for patents can be expensive, and costing from between $10,000 to $20,000 for very simple mechanical inventions, and can cost more for complex designs and inventions, furthermore, it can cost even more if you want the patent to be applicable to different countries. Patents can be really expensive, and that is why you need to be sure that your invention is marketable before filing a patent application, because you do not want to invest so much money in patents, and at the end of it all, the invention fails. Feel free to refer to the most current 2019 USPTO Fee Schedule containing updated filing costs (not including attorney fees). 

We are here to help you make the right decisions when it involves, patents, and we have a network of professional agents who will assist you and give the best patent service you need for your inventions.