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• How
long does a patent last?
• Where can I find the patent,
trademark search room?
• Who
may apply for a patent?
• Patent
• Patent
Prosecution Process
• Patentable
Subject Matter
• What do the terms " patent pending "
and " patent applied for " mean?
They are used by a manufacturer or seller of an article
to inform the public that an application for patent on
that article is on file in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office. The law imposes a fine on those who
use these terms falsely to deceive the public.
• Will the USPTO give others information contained
in my application while it is pending?
Otherwise, all patent applications are maintained in
the strictest confidence until the patent is issued or
the application is published. After the application has
been published, however, a member of the public may request
a copy of the application file. After the patent is issued,
the Office file containing the application and all correspondence
leading up to issuance of the patent is made available
in the Files Information Unit for inspection by anyone,
and copies of these files may be purchased from the Office.
• Does the USPTO control the fees charged by
patent attorneys and agents for their services?
No. This is a matter between you and your patent attorney
or agent in which the Office takes no part. To avoid misunderstanding
you may wish to ask for estimate charges for: (a) the
search (b) preparation of the patent application, and
(c) USPTO prosecution.
• If two or more persons work together to make
an invention, to whom will the patent be granted?
If each had a share in the ideas forming the invention
as defined in the claims even if only as to one claim,
they are joint inventors and a patent will be issued to
them jointly on the basis of a proper patent application.
If, on the other hand, one of these persons has provided
all of the ideas of the invention, and the other has only
followed instructions in making it, the person who contributed
the ideas is the sole inventor and the patent application
and patent shall be in his/her name alone.
• Will the USPTO help me to select a patent attorney
or agent to make my patent search or to prepare and prosecute
my patent application?
No. The Office cannot make this choice for you. However,
your own friends or general attorney may help you in making
a selection from among those listed as registered practitioners
on the Office roster. Also, some bar associations operate
lawyer referral services that maintain lists of patent
lawyers available to accept new clients.
• Are there any state government agencies that
can help me in developing and marketing of my invention?
Yes. In nearly all states there are state planning and
development agencies or departments of commerce and industry
which seek new product and new process ideas to assist
manufacturers and communities in the state. If you do
not know the names or addresses of your state organizations
you can obtain this information by writing to the governor
of your state.
www.uspto.gov
• Patent Expert Offer Free Do-It-Yourself Patent Course to Independent Inventors
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