Why patent an idea

Brexit Check what you need to do. Explore the topic Patents, trade marks, copyright and designs Patents. Is this page useful? Maybe Yes this page is useful No this page is not useful. Thank you for your feedback. Report a problem with this page. What were you doing? Form 1 is available on the UK Government Website. Once your submission has been received by the UK IPO they will issue a receipt which confirms the filing date and provides a patent application number.

Is your idea best protected via a patent, a registered design, a trade mark registered or unregistered , or a copyright? Find out how to decide which option is best for your idea by visiting our Vital Info page. How do you patent an idea? The 1st step is a comprehensive search for similar patents to ensure that a concept is globally unique and thereby whether and how it may be patentable.

Learn more here Patent Search. Learn about how much it costs, varying types of patent applications, and what the examination and grant timelines are like. Patent Advice available here. A patent is a legal document that can last up to 20 years so specific wording is exceptionally important. Get tips on how to apply to the Intellectual Property Office and what to include on our Patent Application process page.

Learn about how a registered Trade Mark can protect a word, symbol, or logo used in trade and associated with your product throughout the U. A registered design can be more relevant and can combine with or be more relevant and can provide faster protection than patenting an idea depending on the product specs.

Learn more on our Registered Designs page. Get the free info pack to find out more Get Info Pack. How to Patent an Idea Anything and everything you need to know…. Trade marks Before you apply Your IP protection strategy Trade mark categories Trade mark types List of goods and services Classification tool National or international application Trade mark consultants Requirements for protection Grounds for refusal Protected public signs Risk of conflict Carrying out a search yourself Professional searches Trade mark examination support tool National applications Duration of procedure Costs and fees Application rejected?

International applications Filing your application Documents and links Costs and fees Post registration Use your trade mark Cancellation procedure for trade marks on the grounds of non-use Monitor and defend your trade mark Filing an objection Updating your register entry Renewing protection FAQs Indications of source Indications of source basics Criteria for determining origin Natural products Foodstuffs Industrial products 'Swissness' calculator Services Swissness The Swiss cross The Swiss coat of arms Protecting geographical indications Procedure Right to protection Proof of representation Product specification Application and examination Post registration Register for geographical indications Geographical mark Protection abroad Fighting misuse The role of the IPI FAQ Patents Patent basics What is a patent?

What is an invention? Why patent an invention? Alternatives to patenting Who has what rights to the invention? Where is a patent valid? Was this page helpful? What would you improve? These articles will provide some insights and help you formulate a plan for reaching the invention stage, which is where you want to be in order to commercialize and monetize your ideas. First to file has to be interpreted as file first , which makes filing provisional patent applications quickly after an idea has matured into an invention is absolutely critical.

Of course, a poorly prepared and hastily filed provisional patent application will provide little or no benefit. For more information on provisional patent applications please see:. Image Source: Deposit Photos. Gene founded IPWatchdog. He consults with attorneys facing peculiar procedural issues at the Patent Office, advises investors and executives on patent law changes and pending litigation matters, and works with start-up businesses throughout the United States and around the world, primarily dealing with software and computer related innovations.

Tags: ideas , independent inventor , independent inventors , inventor , patent , patents , provisional patent , provisional patents. Read more. Hi Gene — Thanks for another interesting article — I am a great fan of yours and agree with virtually everything written in the article and with respect in this instance I am sorry to say I am disappointed with the way you put some of it.

I respectfully beg to differ. Using those other means of asserting ownership rights, can be just as powerful and effective as asserting patent rights, particularly if the idea being misappropriated is particularly significant, revolutionary, or worth a great deal of money!

A whole lot! Who would have ever even attempted to do that?! And, what about a book that gets made into a blockbuster movie? Same goes with plagiarism. Also, proven plagiarism can not only cost lots of money and cause someone great shame, but it can also cost a person s their job and even careers, and in so doing ruin their life — forever.

So, I treat any idea that is not common i. The later seems to be particularly distasteful to many inventors today, who would seem to prefer not to citing ANY prior art, whatsoever despite that not being kosher with the PTO! No worry, the Examiner will find those prior art references anyway despite your best efforts to suppress them.

Attorneys do people a great disservice if they tell people otherwise. Ideas can be worth a LOT of money, in and of themselves, even if not patentable. People have become multi-millionaires, even without having any patents issued to them! Basically how Google, Facebook and Amazon started — with just an idea no patents even pending at the time! Perhaps Gene can suggest some good academic or legal writings about that problem or a definition that seems very concise and comprehensive. I would be interested to see comments on that from Gene Quinn and others.