Patent An Idea

Many new inventors believe that they can patent an idea. Thoughts or inspirations do not not qualify for a patent.

Expressions or publication of thoughts that are not inventions, like this page for example, are protected by copyright.

Publication of unique symbols or word designs are protected by trademark.

These are good tools as well, but an idea for an invention is dealt with differently than other ideas.

An invention idea is usually about how you can solve a problem. But you have to make the solution (an invention) before you can apply for a patent. An invention must also be new, unique and useful. This means that your invention was never known before or disclosed to the public.

Lets say you have this idea that "socks should not get holes in them". This might be a good new invention idea. Lots of people wear socks. Most people would probably want socks that didn't get holes in them. Typically, as inventors, this is how we think.

This would be a new invention idea, meaning it gives you an idea for something you could invent - "a sock that doesn't get holes".

Once you have this idea, the very first thing you should do is conduct a patent search.

If your patent search doesn't find anything like your idea, you could start working on your invention. You want to make your idea into an invention.

If you want to license your invention, you need to plan this while you're developing your idea.

As you progress with your invention you will get more excited and passionate about your idea. You experiment and test materials, spending long hard hours on your invention.

You invent a coating that you can put on wool thread. This makes the socks durable. You make some socks using this new wool material. They're comfortable and have a unique and different look to them. But your new thread is not easy to work with so you adapt a sewing machine to make it easier to sew socks.

This was a lot of work and so now you feel ready to protect your invention by obtaining a patent. But there are still other steps to take before getting a patent.

A patent is just one tool we use to prepare our inventions. There are several tools we use to give our inventions a chance to become successful.

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