That great new idea of yours can change your life for the better. But before you jump right into further development and marketing, you need to protect it from those few unscrupulous folks that might just steal those dreams. Plus, once you've obtained appropriate protection, you will have many more options available.
But how best do you provide this protection? What will work for YOU? Basically you need to go with one of the following: secrecy, a full patent, or a provisional patent. Your current financial situation and the nature of your specific idea or type of invention will determine which option is best for you. So we will look at these in that light.
Secrecy -The Coca Cola family successfully maintained the 'secret formula' of their product for generations. However, secrets are almost impossible to keep for very long. And to keep from involving others, you must be financially capable of seeing your product through to production and distribution. Typically, secrecy works best for processes or products that are not easily reverse engineered.
Full Patent - If your idea or invention is mechanical, technical or electronic, it is unlikely that mere secrecy will work for you. Your idea will ultimately require a full patent. If you have checked out any of the companies that cater to new inventors, you know that full (non-provisional) patents are very expensive. In reality, these full patents will need an experienced patent attorney -- and they don't come cheap! This is the ultimate way to go, if you can afford it.
Provisional Patent - if funds are limited, this is very viable. It's likely the best option for you. The PPA or provisional patent application gets your foot in the door and holds your place, until someone you assign can pay for the costly full patent. You get to display 'patent Pending' with the description of your product. It gives you one year to find backers, promoters and partners and to get the full patent.
With a full or provisional patent, you can safely disclose your idea and negotiate with companies to develop, manufacture, promote, sell and distribute your innovation. You can easily negotiate for signing fees, royalties and commissions. Your creativity can then turn to new ideas and inventions!
In summary, a full patent is extremely expensive, as well as time-consuming. If money is tight initially, you can file for a provisional patent all on your own. On the website for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) there are hundreds of forms. If you love research, you could easily spend 12 - 15 hours to determine which forms are needed, and which sections and lines on those forms are necessary to get the application accepted. If you're like most folks however, you might opt for a major shortcut -- in the form of one of the many readily available provisional patent application kits.
So here's the key: time is of the essence! Don't wait and let your idea be patented by someone else. Research the required forms thoroughly but quickly. If reading government forms and instructions isn't for you, then one of these inexpensive kits might be your preferred solution.
Most of the better kits either list or actually contain the forms needed -- and only those forms needed. While some include the 'government instructions' for every line of each form, the more user-friendly kits should give you simplified, plain-English directions, for filling in just those lines and sections that are appropriate -- not all sections and lines are needed, nor even desirable. Provisional Patent application kits can be found for 50 to 100 dollars, and up.
Your valuable time will be freed up for more productive or creative use, once you have full patent or provisional patent protection. You will be searching for eager and able third parties that will help you push your dream toward reality. Once protected your move toward financial security will be accelerated. So don't ignore the necessity of doing what it takes to get protected, them move confidently and safely forward! - 30204
But how best do you provide this protection? What will work for YOU? Basically you need to go with one of the following: secrecy, a full patent, or a provisional patent. Your current financial situation and the nature of your specific idea or type of invention will determine which option is best for you. So we will look at these in that light.
Secrecy -The Coca Cola family successfully maintained the 'secret formula' of their product for generations. However, secrets are almost impossible to keep for very long. And to keep from involving others, you must be financially capable of seeing your product through to production and distribution. Typically, secrecy works best for processes or products that are not easily reverse engineered.
Full Patent - If your idea or invention is mechanical, technical or electronic, it is unlikely that mere secrecy will work for you. Your idea will ultimately require a full patent. If you have checked out any of the companies that cater to new inventors, you know that full (non-provisional) patents are very expensive. In reality, these full patents will need an experienced patent attorney -- and they don't come cheap! This is the ultimate way to go, if you can afford it.
Provisional Patent - if funds are limited, this is very viable. It's likely the best option for you. The PPA or provisional patent application gets your foot in the door and holds your place, until someone you assign can pay for the costly full patent. You get to display 'patent Pending' with the description of your product. It gives you one year to find backers, promoters and partners and to get the full patent.
With a full or provisional patent, you can safely disclose your idea and negotiate with companies to develop, manufacture, promote, sell and distribute your innovation. You can easily negotiate for signing fees, royalties and commissions. Your creativity can then turn to new ideas and inventions!
In summary, a full patent is extremely expensive, as well as time-consuming. If money is tight initially, you can file for a provisional patent all on your own. On the website for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) there are hundreds of forms. If you love research, you could easily spend 12 - 15 hours to determine which forms are needed, and which sections and lines on those forms are necessary to get the application accepted. If you're like most folks however, you might opt for a major shortcut -- in the form of one of the many readily available provisional patent application kits.
So here's the key: time is of the essence! Don't wait and let your idea be patented by someone else. Research the required forms thoroughly but quickly. If reading government forms and instructions isn't for you, then one of these inexpensive kits might be your preferred solution.
Most of the better kits either list or actually contain the forms needed -- and only those forms needed. While some include the 'government instructions' for every line of each form, the more user-friendly kits should give you simplified, plain-English directions, for filling in just those lines and sections that are appropriate -- not all sections and lines are needed, nor even desirable. Provisional Patent application kits can be found for 50 to 100 dollars, and up.
Your valuable time will be freed up for more productive or creative use, once you have full patent or provisional patent protection. You will be searching for eager and able third parties that will help you push your dream toward reality. Once protected your move toward financial security will be accelerated. So don't ignore the necessity of doing what it takes to get protected, them move confidently and safely forward! - 30204
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Visit this link for an inexpensive and easy-to-use Provisional Patent Application Kit For an informative article on How to Write a Provisional Patent, click this link.
