Patent Pending in 24 Hours

Description

Everything you need to protect your invention now Ready to stamp "patent pending" on your invention? Then you need to file a provisional patent application (PPA), an inexpensive way to claim your invention - and buy yourself time to determine whether it's worthwhile to pursue a regular patent. With Patent Pending in 24 Hours, you will learn how to: conduct a patent search online complete all the necessary forms evaluate potential hurdles prepare informal drawings file your application, and file a new PPA to reflect modifications The new edition covers the latest implications of recent federal patent law reform for PPA applicants. Cover Title Page Table of Contents 1: The Provisional Patent Application How a Provisional Patent Application Works Advantages of Filing a Provisional Patent Application Potential Disadvantages of Filing a Provisional Application Preparing Your Provisional Patent Application Drinking Beer and Listening to the Car Radio: Two Provisional Patent Applications 2: Deciding Whether to File a Provisional Application: The Seven Hurdles Hurdle #1: Is It Commercial? Hurdle #2: Did You Invent It? Hurdle #3: Do You Own It? Hurdle #4: Is It Useful? Hurdle #5: Does It Fit in One of the Patent Classes? Hurdle #6: Is It New? Hurdle #7: Is It Obvious? Our Inventor’s Patent Hurdles 3: Finding Previous Inventions Internet Patent‑Searching Tips Searching the USPTO Website Search by Classification How to Read a Patent Finding Prior Art That Isn’t Currently Patented After the Preliminary Search 4: Drafting the Provisional Patent Application: Part 1—Drawing Your Invention Basic Patent Drafting Principles Getting Started Tips for Inventors Who Have a Prototype but Can’t Draw Tips for Inventors Who Don’t Have a Prototype and Can’t Draw Drawings for Software, Business Methods, Electrical Inventions, and Chemical Compounds 5: Drafting the Provisional Patent Application: Part 2—Describing Your Invention What Do You Call Your Invention? What Are the Names and Addresses of the Inventors? What Are the Advantages of Your Invention Over the Prior Art? What Drawing Figures Have You Included? What Are the Components of Your Invention and How Do They Interact? Operation—How Does the Invention Achieve Its Result? What Are Alternative Ways That Your Invention Can Achieve Its Result? Putting It All Together 6: Filing and Beyond How to File Your Provisional Patent Application File a Regular Patent Application Within One Year Marking Your Invention “Patent Pending” What Happens If You Modify Your Invention? International Rules to Remember Appendix A: Provisional Patent Applications Pasteurization The Telephone Car Radio Fly Mask Convertible Tent Non-Fogging Shower Mirror Three-Wheeled Scooter Musical Condom Fashion Business Method Watch With Speed Adjustment During Travel for Reducing Jet Lag (Mitchell Electrical Patent) Pre-Monopoly Board Game Advertising System for Airport Mashed Potato Machine Method of Viewing Panoramic Images Puppet Construction Kit Ergonomic Mouse Talking Stick Horse Appendix B: Agreements Nondisclosure Agreement Joint Ownership Agreement for Inventors Agreement for Creation of Prototype or Patent Drawings Invention Assignment Appendix C: Glossaries Glossary of Useful Technical Terms Glossary of Patent Terms Appendix D: The Inventor’s Notebook Appendix E: Attorneys Finding an Attorney Keeping Fees Down Appendix F: Resources Inventor Resources Internet Patent-Searching Resources Assessing Foreign Patent Potential Index Book Registration and Updates Additional Patent, Copyright & Trademark Resources at Nolo.com