File Initial Provisional Patent
Why is this Important? To protect your idea. The patent office gives a patent to the first to invent and file, not necessarily the first to invent. A provisional patent is a inexpensive way to obtain first filing and allows you to publicly discuss your idea without fear of invalidating it or having it stolen.
| Key Actions | Things to Consider | Tool Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Conduct a preliminary freedom to operate analysis | Conduct a patent and literature search to ensure your idea is unique and does not infringe on other people’s patents. | |
| Document your idea and file a provisional patent | It is possible to do it yourself, but you may need and want to have legal support.
You should conduct a patent search to ensure your idea is unique and does not infringe on other people’s patents. Additional provisional patents may need to be filed at the time you determine the final product. You have a year from the date of filing your provisional to the writing of your real patent.
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US Patent Database
Consultation from Legal Service Providers |