Third party submissions of prior art can be submitted to the USPTO through their website. Please go to the following link for more information:...

Utility Patent General question (Micro entity)

1) In order to claim priority to a provisional application, a regular US utility application must be filed by the one year filing date of the...

No. A patent application can only be filed by an inventor or their assignee. If the invention was made during the course of your work, then you may...

If I have a design that makes an existing patented product more durable, am I able to just start selling it as an add-on?

Before selling your product, you should consult with a patent attorney on this site. An attorney can help you search for any patents that cover...

Where do I need to start to get an idea patented?

Most new inventors have lots of questions about whether their idea/invention is patentable and what is required to get a patent. You should consult...

Are provisional patent application details published?

No. US provisional patent applications are never published. No claims, oath or declaration are required and they go abandoned after one year. A...

If I apply for a patent as a Micro Entity....

Claiming Micro Entity status to file a patent application will not allow you to assign your patent rights to a non-Micro Entity later. To qualify...

Once I electronically file a provisional patent application...

Yes. Once you electronically file a US provisional patent application you will receive an application number and will be able to manufacture your...

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How do you protect an "invention" when approaching a patent lawyer, the first step of the patent process?

Like all attorneys, patent attorneys have an ethical obligation to their clients to act in their best interest and maintain their confidential...

I patented an anti-theft device and it did attract interest from business. A Nevada Corp. Money was made, but not by me.

Even though you are an inventor on a patent, an office of the company, and a shareholder, you may have lost ownership of the patent by assigning...