What is the first step in patenting an invention?

• What is a patent?

• What can be patented?

• Does an invention have to be completely new to be patented?

• Who can apply for a patent?

• What standards are applied to determine if an invention is patentable?

• What is the first step in patenting an invention?

• When and how is a patent application prepared?

• What information goes into the patent specification?

• What is the function of the patent Claims?

• Are there different types of patent applications?

• What happens after the patent application is filed?

• Is there any recourse from an unfavorable final office action?

• What happens once the examiner finds the claims are allowable?

• Does the inventor have to wait for the issuance of his/her patent before beginning to manufacture or market the invention?

• How long does the entire patenting process take?

• Should an inventor disclose his/her invention to others prior to filing a patent application?

• What happens if two applications are filed for the same invention?

• How long does patent protection last?

• Does a U.S. Patent provide protection from foreign competition?

• How is a patent enforced?

• Can patent rights be sold?

• Does an employee’s invention automatically belong to their employer?

• What is a patent license?

• How does an inventor go about licensing his/her invention?

• Once a patent is issued, can it be revoked or modified?

• What are the maintenance requirements after a patent is issued?

Microwave Boiler and Hot Water Heater

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Simulated Balloon Display and Method

Botanical Drug Compositions

Computer for Emergency Responders

Pet Carrier Garment

Human Echolocation System

Water Based Adhesive Curing Process

Hand Wash Monitoring System

An initial determination needs to be made as to whether the invention is patentable. The first step in making that determination is to conduct a “patentability search” or “patent search”. Such a search involves surveying the prior art worldwide, including U.S. patents and patent publications as well as international patents and publications. The goal of the patent search is to identify the prior art that is most relevant to the invention at hand in terms of novelty and/or obviousness. Once the most relevant prior art has been identified, it must be reviewed and analyzed by a competent patent attorney in order to formulate an expert assessment of the prospects of obtaining a patent for the invention. Such an assessment in issued by the attorney in the form of an “opinion letter”. The opinion letter provides the inventor with the input he/she needs to make informed business decision about proceeding to the next step of the patenting process.