A Patent Attorney can help.
When you create something that you have poured research into and tested hundreds of times, you want to know that no one else will steal your design and profit from it. A patent can make sure that—for a certain period of time—you are the person who has rights to your work. Depending on the type of patent you have (a utility patent, a design patent, or a plant patent), you may have the sole rights to it for 15 or 20 years.
How do I know my work qualifies for a patent?
To successfully get a patent, you must have an invention with three parts:
- It is novel. This means that there are not other inventions like it or that while similar to another invention, it has one or more factors that make it different enough. Thus, if there are other inventions like it that have been used in the public or if it was described in a publication, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) would not consider it to be novel.
- It is nonobvious. This means that someone in the same field would look at this invention and find it unexpected. This particular area can be subjective when it comes to determining whether a part of an invention is nonobvious.
- It is useful. Your invention should provide some type of benefit to the real world. It is important to understand that you do not have to create something that will make a huge impact on the world. This third requirement is not necessarily something you must prove if you are applying for a plant or design patent.
What are common things that you can patent?
If you are wondering what you can patent, there are many things to consider. For example, computer software, a design process, or a machine are all things that you can patent.
Do I need to work with an attorney?
You are not required to have legal counsel when patenting an invention. However, a lawyer, like a Chicago, Illinois patent attorney from a law office like The Law Offices of Konrad Sherinian could tell you that an attorney who has worked in the patent field could be a great help when it comes to having all of your documents and evidence prepared.
You are trying to make the world a better place with your invention. Why not be as prepared as possible when you go to file your patent? See how a local attorney can help you fulfill your dreams.