I Have A Great Idea. Can I Get A Patent?

Although it starts with an idea, you cannot obtain a patent for an idea for a new invention. You obtain a patent for the invention itself. Patent law in the United States requires that an inventor be able to describe an invention in sufficient detail that a person skilled in the art can reasonably conclude that an inventor had “possession” of the claimed invention at the time of filing. To satisfy this requirement, an inventor generally spends numerous hours in the lab or garage developing a prototype in order to explain exactly how the invention works and to successfully articulate the limitations of that invention. After that, an inventor must prepare a patent application which must satisfy the strict legal requirements set forth in United States patent law and the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure.

There is simply no easy way to obtain a patent, and taking short cuts along the road to obtaining one can lead to disastrous consequences. Like anything in life worth pursuing, obtaining a patent takes hard work and perseverance. Take some time to read the articles on our website, and be sure to check out the free resources provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Independent inventors definitely need every advantage they can find, and we’re here to help.