Patents Overview
GENERAL INFORMATION ON OBTAINING PATENT PROTECTION FROM NORTH AMERICA
So, you have a good idea and you want to commercialize it? You know you need help to get the project off the ground, but where do you begin? You have heard stories about people having their ideas stolen or otherwise misappropriated by unscrupulous manufacturers or promoters. You are afraid that if you are not careful, this might happen to you. You have heard that a patent will protect your idea from misappropriation. You may have done some research and reading on patents, and/or contacted the Patent Office for further information. Still, the materials you have read to date have left many questions unanswered and may have raised a few new ones. The overriding question you have is, "Where do I go from here?"
The purpose of this treatment is to answer this question and other questions surrounding the patenting of inventions that we are frequently asked. In so doing, it is hoped that we can clarify some of the misconceptions and mysteries surrounding the patent system and start you off in the right direction on the road to commercial realization of your idea. If nothing else, we hope to save you the cost of a lengthy interview.
If, after reading this treatment, you still require clarification on some of the points covered herein, we will be happy to answer such general questions without charge. However, if such questions involve an opinion on your invention or detailed discussion of your particular fact situation, we will require that you arrange for an initial consultation with one of our patent agents. A charge will be levied in all cases for such an initial consultation, as set out in the section on Cost Estimates for Patent Services. Such charge represents a significant reduction over our normal hourly billing rates. So as to maximize the benefit to be derived from the initial consultation, you will be requested to complete a detailed invention disclosure form before attending the initial consultation. This form will be provided to you at the time the initial consultation is booked.
2. ARE ALL INVENTIONS PATENTABLE?
(a) • Proper Subject Matter
(b) • Novelty
(c) • Utility
(d) • Unobviousness
4. PREPARATION OF THE FIRST PATENT APPLICATION
(a) • Provisional Patent Applications
5. PROTECTION IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES
6. PROSECUTION OF APPLICATIONS
7. ALLOWANCE, PAYMENT OF THE FINAL FEE, AND ISSUANCE OF THE PATENT