Patent Pending in 24 Hours

by Stim, Richard; Pressman, David

• ISBN13: 9781413317565
• ISBN10: 1413317561
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-11-30
• Publisher: Ingram Pub Services

Summary

Take the first step to protecting your invention! Ready to stamp "patent pending" on your invention? Then you need to file a provisional patent application (PPA), an inexpensive way to claim your hard work. With a PPA, you'll have time to figure out whether you can make a profit from your creation before you invest more time and money. With Patent Pending in 24 Hours, you have all the forms and information you need to get the job done! Find out how to: . evaluate hurdles to patentability . write a clear PPA . prepare informal drawings of your invention . conduct a patent search online . understand basic patent law . complete all forms required by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office . file your application . modify your invention after filing The book also includes important legal forms to help you preserve your rights when showing or selling your invention: . nondisclosure agreement . patent assignment . prototype-maker agreement joint-ownership agreement This edition is completely revised with updated case law and patent regulations, updated patent searching information and additional resources.

Author Biography

Richard Stim is an intellectual property attorney and the author of many Nolo books, including Profit From Your Idea and Music Law. Visit his popular blog at www.dearrichblog.com. David Pressman is a patent attorney with more than 40 years of experience in the patent profession. He is the author of Patent It Yourself, the world's bestselling patent book.

Table of Contents

The Provisional Patent Application	p. 1
How a Provisional Patent Application Works	p. 3
Advantages of Filing a Provisional Patent Application	p. 7
Potential Disadvantages of Filing a Provisional Application	p. 16
Preparing Your Provisional Patent Application	p. 18
Drinking Beer and Listening to the Car Radio: Two Provisional Patent Applications	p. 18
Deciding Whether to File a Provisional Application: The Seven Hurdles	p. 27
Is It Commercial?	p. 31
Did You Invent It?	p. 37
Do You Own It?	p. 40
Is It Useful?	p. 43
Does It Fit in One of the Patent Classes?	p. 44
Is It New?	p. 48
Is It Obvious?	p. 49
Our Inventor's Patent Hurdles	p. 51
Finding Previous Inventions	p. 53
Internet Patent-Searching Tips	p. 56
Searching the USPTO Website	p. 63
How to Read a Patent	p. 76
Finding Prior Art That Isn't Currently Patented	p. 83
After the Preliminary Search	p. 88
Drafting the Provisional Patent Application: Part 1-Drawing Your Invention	p. 93
Basic Patent Drafting Principles	p. 96
Getting Started	p. 100
Tips for Inventors Who Have a Prototype but Can't Draw	p. 103
Tips for Inventors Who Don't Have a Prototype and Can't Draw	p. 109
Drawings for Software, Business Methods, Electrical Inventions, and Chemical Compounds	p. 112
Drafting the Provisional Patent Application: Part 2-Describing Your Invention	p. 119
What Do You Call Your Invention?	p. 121
What Are the Names and Addresses of the Inventors?	p. 123
What Are the Advantages of Your Invention Over the Prior Art?	p. 123
What Drawing Figures Have You Included?	p. 125
What Are the Components of Your Invention and How Do They Interact?	p. 126
How Does the invention Achieve Its Result?	p. 131
What Are Alternative Ways That Your Invention Can Achieve Its Result?	p. 132
Putting It All Together	p. 133
Filing and Beyond	p. 143
How to File Your Provisional Patent Application	p. 144
Filing a Regular Patent Application	p. 161
Marking Your Invention "Patent Pending"	p. 163
What Happens If You Modify Your Invention?	p. 163
International Rules to Remember	p. 164
Appendixes
Provisional Patent Applications	p. 171
Pasteurization	p. 173
The Telephone	p. 178
Car Radio	p. 191
Fly Mask	p. 198
Convertible Tent	p. 202
Non-Fogging Shower Mirror	p. 212
Three-Wheeled Scooter	p. 228
Musical Condom	p. 246
Fashion Business Method	p. 254
Watch With Speed Adjustment During Travel for Reducing Jet Lag (Mitchell Electrical Patent)	p. 276
Pre-Monopoly Board Game	p. 293
Advertising System for Airport	p. 302
Mashed Potato Machine	p. 314
Method of Viewing Panoramic Images	p. 324
Puppet Construction Kit	p. 341
Ergonomic Mouse	p. 358
Talking Stick Horse	p. 370
Agreements	p. 387
Nondisclosure Agreement	p. 388
Joint Ownership Agreement for Inventors	p. 395
Agreement for Creation of Prototype or Patent Drawings	p. 402
Invention Assignment	p. 406
Glossaries	p. 409
Glossary of Useful Technical Terms	p. 410
Glossary of Patent Terms	p. 424
The Inventor's Notebook	p. 437
Attorneys	p. 443
Finding an Attorney	p. 444
Keeping Fees Down	p. 445
Resources	p. 447
Inventor Resources	p. 448
Internet Patent-Searching Resources	p. 449
Assessing Foreign Patent Potential	p. 450
Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries	p. 451
Index	p. 457
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