Patents
Patents are critical for protecting inventions and designs. Learn how and when to file one, read success stories from fellow inventors, and more.
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Invention Submission Companies: Scams or Valuable Services?
Many inventors have turned to invention submission companies that promise to evaluate their invention, research the patent, and contact manufacturers. Unfortunately, many of these companies have been under investigation for fraud by the FTC and other government agencies.
· 5 min read
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Responding to a Patent Office Action
Getting an office action doesn’t always mean your patent application has been denied. Find out more about office actions and how to respond to them.
· 3 min read
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How to Patent an Idea and Become an Inventor
How do you know when your idea is just an idea, as opposed to an idea that you could patent and put to profitable use?
· 3 min read
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How to File a Patent
Before you can profit from your invention, there are several steps to take to get the right kind of protection you need. Find out how you file a patent application, whether you need a lawyer or can do it yourself, and what it means to have a patent pending.
· 6 min read
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Understanding the Patent Application Process
The patent application process can be confusing. Find out more about the different phases of the process and what you can do to prepare for each phase.
· 5 min read
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The Basics of Patent Assignments
What is a patent assignment, what are the requirements to make it valid, and why would a business enter into a patent assignment agreement? Read on to find answers to these questions and more.
· 3 min read
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Use a Bill of Materials to Plan Your Patent Submission
If your business is involved in manufacturing or production, it's likely you already have a document that will make submitting a patent much, much easier. Find out how a BOM can help with the process.
· 3 min read
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Joint Ownership of Patents: A to Z
An invention's patent is considered personal property. Under patent law, each co-inventor named on a patent application owns that property. In the absence of any agreement, each co-inventor owns 100 percent of the patent, regardless of how much each individual contributed to the invention. Patent law gives co-owners of a patent the right to make, use, license, sell and import the patented invention within the U.S. in whatever way they please, without the consent of the other co-owners.
· 3 min read
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Patent Squatters: Is It Possible to Patent an Invention that Everyone's Been Using for Years?
Can you patent a new product that stems from an old favorite?
· 5 min read
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Disabled Inventors: Necessity Is the Mother of Invention
Inventors are known to tackle problems they encounter in their everyday lives. For disabled inventors solving these problems can have a life-changing impact, not just for themselves, but others who can benefit from their ingenuity.
· 2 min read
