Eureka! You thought for a long time and tried to come up with an ingenious idea from which you will be able to live easily, and it finally happened. Or simply, without too much effort, one such idea came to your mind. And what now?! Maybe you surfed the internet and saw the fact that even over 70% of ideas remain just that- just ideas. Either someone has already designed them or they are not so ingenious. Don’t fall into depression right away, but take everything into your hands and deal with the quality of your idea. Be a researcher and make sure your idea is worth patenting.
In this following text, we have made an effort to write a mini-guide that will ease this dilemma and help you make sure that your innovation deserves to be turned into a patent from which you will never have to think about money again. But first of all, let’s see together what patenting really is.
What is patenting?
A pattern can be a design, service, or product that you have created that is unique. Patenting is actually protecting your intellectual property. A patent allows you to use your intellectual property only by you or persons authorized by you. So, by patenting, you get the right to realize or sell your idea, and that’s it for you and no one else. If your idea gets the status of a patent, it means that it has been protected by the legal system for 20 years. If something is a patent it means that the world has not yet seen something like that, the difference between a patentable invention and a non-patentable one is sometimes very small.
Precisely because the legal system is behind you, some rules must be followed, ie what can and cannot be patented. There are several guides and blogs on the internet about how a patent is created and why you would patent your ideas. The website https://kulturehub.com/inventhelp-step-by-step-guide-inventor/ can also be of great help.
Given all of the above, this mini-guide will help you be aware of whether your innovation is worth patenting. Before filling out a patent application, which normally costs money, is sure to analyze all the facts that indicate the signs of your invention.
1. There is no idea such as yours in databases
We have already written that the basis for the idea to be patent is uniqueness. Before filling out a patent application, be sure to roll up your sleeves and get to work. Find scientific journals or books in the nearby library that can be closely related to your idea and search to see if something similar is mentioned. Searching the internet is another great thing to be almost 100% sure that your idea is innovative. You search for yourself and you don’t need too much experience.
Pattern databases are now available in a simple and fast way. You can start searching on the official USPTO pattern site for free. The database is really huge, but don’t lose patience. If you are unique, effort and perseverance will pay off. Even if you find an idea like yours, be thankful because you won’t waste any more time and money on that idea. The point of the story is: you can’t patent something that already exists.
You researched, devoted time, and you didn’t come across a similar idea. That’s really amazing! To apply for a patent and make your dream come true, you still need to consider some other criteria that relate directly to your invention.
2. Your invention is creative
What does it mean that the invention is useful? First of all, it must have a specific purpose. Therefore, its existence must be justified. It must create something new, something above itself. Is your invention practically applicable in any sense? Can you describe what specifically your invention can do?
If you have quality answers for this criterion as well, you are getting closer to realizing your dream!
3. It is legally permissible
Your invention must not conflict with legal norms. So, an invention must be legally allowed, and any opposition to this can cost you a lot. Although sometimes this criterion seems too obvious, it is better to double-check.
4. You can explain the work of your invention in detail
This part is also waiting for you when filling out a patent application, so think better in advance. Ask yourself: can you accurately present the concrete work of your invention? Can you describe the way it works? Can you describe how your ingenious idea came about? The answers to these questions will give you a true picture of your invention so don’t be stingy in describing it. If necessary, work further on specific segments and their description.
5. And the experts are satisfied
You have followed every step and you think that this is it, that the realization of your dream is getting closer. But again, you are not absolutely sure and do not want to get involved in something that may already exist. Relax, some people can completely professionally check if you meet all the criteria for patenting. People who work professionally with inventors, researchers, and legal advocates are patent agents. They can help you evaluate your discovery, assess whether there are similar products, and/or evaluate the possibilities of placing the invention. If it turns out that your invention really has value, these professionals can also help you write the application you need to file to protect and patent your invention.
You went through each of the listed features, and you still find your invention original! Well, congratulations! If you recognize all the above 5 characters that we have set for you, then be prepared to fill out a patent application. Since you have already arranged the key elements of your invention, completing this application will not be a problem. It is just another, the last step for the whole world to get acquainted with a creative invention. We sincerely keep our fingers crossed for you to succeed in realizing your dreams, and make the world happy with one more innovation.