What are the requirements for getting a patent?
Patent Requirements
- The invention must be statutory (subject matter eligible)
- The invention must be new.
- The invention must be useful.
- The invention must be non-obvious.
Who can file a patent?
It is the inventor who has the right to apply for a patent for an invention. However, the right to apply for a patent can be transferred to another person – physically or legally (assignment). The applicant referred to in a patent application can, therefore, be one or more people or companies.
Can I file patent myself?
You can file a patent application on behalf of yourself or your co-inventors. Alternatively, you can hire a registered patent agent or attorney to file your application for you. Patent applications require both legal and technical expertise and even small mistakes can dramatically compromise the value of the patent.
Do you need a prototype or MVP to get a patent?
Prototypes can help you to describe your invention adequately, making it more likely to get a patent. You don’t need a prototype or MVP to get a patent if you can describe your invention with enough details. Patent drawings and extensive descriptions can help in the process.
Should I file a patent application before or after prototyping?
The first approach provides that you file a patent application on your invention before prototyping. The first application will record the details known that that time. Then prototyping proceeds.
Why do I need a patent for my invention?
If you plan to sell your invention to a manufacturer, a patent is important for protection. Without a patent, you cannot protect your invention. Additionally, manufacturers might want to see a working prototype before they purchase your idea. A prototype can help increase your resale value and also provide proof of concept.
How do I protect my invention from new details during prototyping?
There are at least two ways to deal with the possibility that prototyping will result in new details about your invention. The first is the most protective procedure. The first approach provides that you file a patent application on your invention before prototyping. The first application will record the details known that that time.