How to Patent an IdeaBe prepared to have alternatives. Be open to new distribution channels. The inventor of "Jones Soda" first used tattoo parlors as a distribution point until he built a loyal following. From the time of your idea inception, to the final stages of product shipment, you will need help. Surround yourself with knowledgeable and successful people. Have a patent attorney as well as assistance from other professionals like an accountant. Choose your professionals wisely. Study their credentials. Your due diligence will pay off in the end. Once you have completed a preliminary patent information search bring in professional searchers to take an in-depth look of all existing research resources and tools. It's easy to get carried away with the excitement of creating a patent idea. Common sense can fall by the wayside. Don't allow your passion to block out the realities of the market place unless you want to join Totallyabsurd.com club for America's Goofiest Patents. A critical piece of patent information often overlooked is market research. You must find out who is the best target market for your patent idea. It doesn't matter how great your friends and family think your invention is. The market is cold and heartless. The consumer decides whether your have a winner or loser. The level of success you achieve in the end depends on the hard work you put into your research and development. Make sure your patent information plan includes all important 6 pieces. A significant part of your patent information plan is the actual patent application. Spend time learning about the application process. Visit the Patent Office website and learn the basics of reading patents. Understanding the terminology of patents will payoff when you talk to a patent attorney or are involved in negotiations. Spend time on your patent information plan determining who will sell your product? Many new entrepreneurs and inventors assume they can just license their idea to a big company. Patenting is increasing around the globe; in business, universities, and individual patent holders. According to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the number of patents filed in the U.S. increased from 186,507 in 1992 to 406,302 in 2005. IBM set the record in 2003 as having the most patents filed in a single year; 3,415 U.S. patents. In this growing competitive environment, what patent information do you need to succeed? After you have been struck with an inspiring patent idea, you will need to complete a patent search. Don't be discouraged if a similar idea is patented. It means there could be an existing market for your product. Lizzie Magie patented "The Landlord Game" in 1904. Charles Darrow played the game and improved it with a new version called "Monopoly." What does it take to successfully turn a patent idea into a marketable product? There are 6 key pieces of patent information you will need to succeed. Each part plays an important role. If you miss one, the results can be disastrous. | |
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