Young Entrepreneurs are full of excellent ideas, and there are plenty of people out there looking to find these ideas or worse trying to copycat them! You have to make sure you keep your genius safe, so you can take the credit for your hard work when it comes to cashing in on your invention.
If you developed a new product that is completely different from what’s currently available on the market, then getting a patent for it is of utmost importance. A patent will protect your creation from being replicated or sold by others without your permission. In the United States, patents are issued by the federal government’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and are valid for 20 years.
There are two types of patent applications, the Provisional Application for a Patent and the Non-Provisional Application for a Patent. The Provisional Application is the intent to file a Non-Provisional Application within the next 12 months, but gives you the benefit of using the “Patent Pending” designation upon filing the statement.
The Non-Provisional Application for a Patent has a lower fee and is designed for individuals, small businesses, or other small entities. Documentation showing you qualify as a small entity needs to be included with your application.
A Non-Provisional Application for a Patent has several components. Before completing the application, it’s recommended that you conduct an online patent search to be sure no one has a patent pending for the development of a similar product. Depending on the type of your product, you will be filing for a utility, a design, or a plant patent. Each type of patent has its own corresponding application requirements.
Besides completing the basic information on the patent application, you will also need to provide written information about the product that includes a description, all its specifications, ingredients or materials, claims and other pertinent information. An oath that you are the inventor of the product is also required. Accompanying the written information of a patent application are drawings or illustrations of your product.
The complete patent application is submitted to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, along with the application fee. You will be sent a filing receipt with your application number and filing date.
While waiting for your patent approval, you can begin using the “Patent Pending” phrase on your product to notify buyers that its rights are protected.
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Adam Toren
