You’re likely wondering what the invention process looks like if you’re trying to come up with new products and ideas. The ideas are there. But what should you do? It can lead to very serious consequences if you make errors.
One of the many ways to steal your idea is to use it as your own by someone or a company. To avoid these situations, it is important to fully understand the entire invention process so that you can achieve the desired result. These are our top tips to help you understand the entire invention process, from start to finish.
Document your invention before you start.
It is important that you document your idea before you can move on to the next steps. You will need to record on paper or electronically how you came up with the idea. This will allow you to prove your originality. Documenting your invention is an important first step in the invention process. It protects you from possible theft. This is the worst thing that could happen to an inventor who has worked hard to come up with something useful. You can prove that you were the original inventor by having all the documents you need.
In countries like the United States, keeping a record of when the invention occurred is not as important as it used to be. The main criterion for patent eligibility is the applicant who applied first. However, you don’t have to document your invention and leave a trace (electronic or written) of it. You can quickly fill out discovery forms and move on to the next part of the invention process.
Keep your confidentiality intact until you get a patent
Next, you must ensure that your idea remains confidential until it is granted a patent. It is important to remember that the process of getting a patent can be lengthy (up to several decades), so you need to make sure that there is no information leakage from third parties. Consider who you’ll need to or should share your invention with. Prepare a Confidentiality agreement for them to sign. You should not divulge your ideas until a third party has signed it. You should not share information with anyone if they refuse to sign the Agreement. They are clearly not trustworthy. Make sure that they don’t discover your idea.
A Confidentiality agreement protects your invention against theft. It prevents employees and associates from sharing information about your invention without your consent. Violation of the Agreement can lead to severe legal consequences. No one wants to be in such a situation.
InventHelp has an incredible guide, “From inception to invention”, that can help you learn how to be a serious inventor.
Check if your idea is eligible for patent protection
After you have created a Confidentiality agreement and documented your idea, the next step will be to determine if your invention can be patentable. To determine whether your invention is patentable, there are many questions that you must answer correctly and verify. These include: Who can file for a patent? How do I know if my idea is patentable? What ideas and products are patentable? How long does patent protection last? And what are the costs?
You can search for patentability yourself if you don’t want to hire professionals. You can do a free online patent search. All you have to do is take your time and persevere until you find all the information.
It is important to not rush this part of invention. You don’t want to be in a position where you have started collecting documentation for a patent request, only to realize that your invention isn’t patentable. You should take your time, make sure you understand the entire process, and then you can apply for a patent.
Once you are ready, begin the application process
Once you have determined that you can file for a patent application, you are ready to begin the invention process. How do you go about it? First, file a patent application at the USPTO (U.S. Patent and Trademark Office). Before you dive into this process, remember that it isn’t an easy one and that you will need to put in a lot of work and effort to prepare all documentation and drawings. You will also have to satisfy all requirements to obtain a patent from the USPTO.
We recommend you seek professional assistance if you’re not confident that you can handle all of this. This will ensure that your patent application is successful and you receive it if you have met all requirements. You can lose your patent if you make mistakes in the patent application process. We recommend that you prepare well and seek expert advice for this part.