The ability to take out a patent on an invention is almost as old as the United States itself. From the very earliest days of the country, America has been a land of inventors — people with big ambition and big ideas. The U.S. Patent Act was established in 1790. But back then, it was a lot easier to get patents great ideas. Now, it’s not quite so simple. Sometimes, even the best ideas need a little extra push. That’s when you need to turn to the expert advice of a lawyer.
What You Don’t Know About Patent Law
Not everything can be patented. There’s actually a long list of criteria that every single invention must meet before it can receive one, in fact. The qualifications are pretty broad, however. In most cases, the law sufficiently covers almost any original invention. The things you don’t know about the law could keep you from getting one, which means that someone else could claim your invention as your own at some point in the future.
There are lots of various rules and regulations regarding patents, things that most people just don’t know. Lawyers know the ins and outs of laws regarding patents. For example, they know that a new patent has a 20-year term, approximately, from the application filing date. A lawyer can also submit a provisional application that can protect your invention for 12 months. This allows you to use the term “patent pending” on any product or invention.
A good attorney can handle all the specifics of the application and walk you through the process of getting a patent. The USPTO receives over 500,000 patent applications every single year. A patent application that is properly filled out and backed by a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of patent law can help you increase your chances that your patent actually will receive approval, and your invention will be protected as your intellectual property.
Patents and Trademarks
Patent law and trademark law aren’t the same. Do you know whether you need a trademark lawyer? Consult with some attorneys, tell them what you need, and find out exactly which type of lawyer you should hire to help you achieve your future goals.
Hiring a Patent Attorney
You can’t become a specialist in patent law, and you shouldn’t have to. Hire an attorney who knows the law, because that’s their job. They’ve studied patents and they can help you. That way, you can focus on inventing and doing what you do best. After all, no one can do it all.
Most lawyers provide free consultations, or they will give you an initial consultation for a small fee. Talk to several to find the one that will best suit your needs and help you reach your goals. After all, you wouldn’t try to install your own electricity, fill in your own teeth cavities, or make your own shoes. You use experts all the time to do the things that you can’t do. So when it comes to your invention, your big idea, turn to an expert who knows exactly how to help you get to the next level and get your future started.