Patent Pending In 24 Hours

by Stim, Richard

• ISBN13: 9781413300956
• ISBN10: 1413300952
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-12-30
• Publisher: Nolo

Summary

The quickest way for someone to establish proof of creation of an invention is to file a provisional patent application (PPA), a shortened version of a patent application. This book takes readers step-by-step through the process of drafting and filing a PPA within 24 hours, explaining how to:·search for prior art·organize data·use charts and tables·create illustrations·assemble the PPAPatent Pending in 24 Hours also discusses the advantages and limitations of, and alternatives to, PPAs, and covers what happens after submitting one to the Patent and Trademark Office, including:·what happens if an invention is modified·whether an inventor needs a nondisclosure agreement when pitching a creation·how to mark an invention with "Patent Pending"

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The Provisional Patent Application
A. How a Provisional Patent Application Works	1/3	(1)
B. Advantages of Filing a Provisional Patent Application	1/6	(1)
C. Potential Disadvantages of Filing a Provisional Application	1/15	(1)
D. Preparing Your Provisional Patent Application	1/17	(1)
E. Drinking Beer and Listening to the Car Radio: Two Provisional Patent Applications	1/17	(1)
Chapter 2 Deciding Whether to File a Provisional Application: The Seven Hurdles
A. Hurdle #1: Is It Commercial?	2/3	(1)
B. Hurdle #2: Did You Invent It?	2/9	(1)
C. Hurdle #3: Do You Own It?	2/12	(1)
D. Hurdle #4: Is It Useful?	2/14	(1)
E. Hurdle #5: Does It Fit in One of the Patent Classes?	2/15	(1)
F. Hurdle #6: Is It New?	2/17	(1)
G. Hurdle #7: Is It Obvious?	2/18	(1)
Chapter 3 Finding Previous Inventions
A. Internet Patent-Searching Tips	3/4	(1)
B. Searching the USPTO Website	3/10	(1)
C. How To Read a Patent	3/19	(1)
D. Finding Prior Art That Isn't Currently Patented	3/25	(1)
E. After the Preliminary Search	3/29	(1)
Chapter 4 Drafting the Provisional Patent Application: Part I-DrawingYour Invention
A. Basic Patent Drafting Principles	4/4	(1)
B. Getting Started	4/7	(1)
C. Tips for Inventors Who Have a Prototype but Can't Draw	4/9	(1)
D. Tips for Inventors Who Don't Have A Prototype and Can't Draw	4/15	(1)
E. Drawings for Software, Business Methods, Electrical Inventions, and Chemical Compounds	4/18	(1)
Chapter 5 Drafting the Provisional Patent Application: Part II-Describing Your Invention
A. What Do You Call Your Invention?	5/3	(1)
B. What Are the Names and Addresses of the Inventors?	5/4	(1)
C. What Does Your Invention Accomplish (the "Objects" of Your Invention)?	5/5	(1)
D. What Are the Advantages of Your Invention Over the Prior Art?	5/6	(1)
E. What Drawing Figures Have You Included?	5/7	(1)
F. What Are the Components of Your Invention and How Do They Interact?	5/8	(1)
G. How Does the Invention Achieve Its Result?	5/12	(1)
H. What Are Alternative Ways That Your Invention Can Achieve Its Result?	5/14	(1)
I. Putting It All Together	5/15	(1)
Chapter 6 Filing and Beyond
A. How to File Your Provisional Patent Application	6/2	(1)
B. Filing a Regular Patent Application	6/13	(1)
C. Marking Your Invention "Patent Pending"	6/16	(1)
D. What Happens If You Modify Your Invention?	6/17	(1)
E. International Rules to Remember	6/17
Appendix A: Provisional Patent Applications
Appendix B. Agreements
Appendix C: Glossary
Appendix D: The Inventor's Notebook
Appendix E: Attorneys
Appendix F: Resources