How to Patent An Invention

So you’ve come up with a brilliant product idea, something completely new that no-one has ever thought of before. You want to get it out to the world, but you’re worried someone will steal your idea, pass it off as their own and make millions out of it instead of you. This is where the patent application process comes in.

To apply for a patent or file a patent application you’re going to need detailed drawings of your invention

Once you know how to file a patent application, and assuming your submission is successful your product ideas are protected, your invention belongs to you, and you can seek financial compensation if anyone steals and makes money from your idea.

Therefore the possibility of getting a patent essentially gives business people the power to freely explore their creativity and come up with innovative ideas, and then to go on a reap the benefits of them. Unfortunately patents only last for 14 – 20 years, and after expiring the patented idea or invention becomes part of the public domain. That should be plenty of time for you however to manufacture your product, make millions and retire (or spend your days coming up with new products for which you already know how to obtain a patent)!

Related reading: Are patent drawings done by hand?

How to apply for a patent

To successfully patent your invention (and there’s no guarantee it will be approved, so it’s important to get the job right the first time) there are a number of steps you will need to go through. This include:

Figuring out whether your are eligible for a patent on your invention

Some things, like abstract concepts or natural items without adulteration are not able to be patented. If you have developed a manufacturable good or improvement on one already in existence however you should be fine

Pick your patent category

Is your invention utilitarian or is it based in design? This will determine the type of patent you need to file for.

Is your idea really unique?

Sometimes that incredibly unique idea you thought you had has already unfortunately been developed already by someone else. Make sure you do a search on current patents to make sure you’re not impinging on someone else’s rights.

Prepare the patent application

Patents are complex. If this is your first time you’re going to need some help. Contact us at JCAD and we’ll point you in the right direction. You may also need the help of a legal team who specialize in patent work.

You may also need patent drawings that show the specifications of your part or product. We can help.

Provisional application for a patent?

Do you need an early patent on your invention (the type that lets you say “patent pending”)? If yes, you might need to make an application for a provisional patent. These are less expensive but only last for one year, and need to be followed soon after with a regular patent application.

Can you afford it?

Patenting an invention can be expensive. If you are not able to afford it upfront you may need to look for investors. Try angel investors or venture capital firms, or if you think your idea will go viral you could try crowdfunding your idea through kickstarter or another crowdsourcing platform. We can help you with that too!

For more information about patent drawings or how to write or file for a patent on your invention give JCAD a call. We have worked with a number of inventors to help them in the process of applying for patents. For a more in-depth explanation of the patent process your might also like to check out this wikihow article here.