How to Patent an Idea for Free

As they say, nothing is free in this world and the same thing applies to the patent as well. If you are thinking to patent an idea for free then get rid of that thought immediately as there is no way you can patent an idea for free unless you are joking about it. So get serious and do not look for information on how to patent an idea for free because it doesn't exist. This article shares some information on how to patent an idea or invention in United States.

Benefits of Patenting

Patenting helps you protect your invention, new creation and ideas that are novel and original. Patenting is a legal process by which you are granted a legal right by the government so that you can secure your creation from getting used by other people without your permission for a certain period. This way you can establish only your monopoly on your own creation. The philosophy and process behind patenting is quite similar to trademark and copyright acts but patenting consumes much time and is much expensive compared to trademarks or copyright. Apart from this, patent filing process is lengthy and complicated. But it is worth going through this tedious process at once because patenting is the only solid way you can protect your invention, creation, or an idea. Before I tell you about how to patent an idea or invention for free, oops, not free, but for less money, I would tell you about the different types of patents.

Utility Patent: Under this kind of patent, an inventor can protect the inventions related to technology, such as, machines, mechanisms, and chemical compounds, etc.

Design Patent: This patent is aimed at protecting the original and ornamental design thought and created by a person. But the patent does not secure the designing philosophy or the functional characteristics of the design.

Plant Patent: Plant patent grants the right to an inventor to protect his invention of creating a new plant by grafting and cutting the plant tissues. But the new plant has to be completely different, new and unique.

In short, the invention idea must be either a process, or a machine, or a manufactured item, or a composition of matter, or any new use of any of these. Apart from this, an idea or invention must have a utility value. Mere abstract thought or theoretical conceptualization is not enough to get a patent. To patent a product idea, it has to be practical and viable. If you are wondering how to get a patent then read further.

How to Patent an Idea?

Given below are few steps that would guide you to solve your question regarding how to patent an invention so that you can secure your right over its use for a particular time period.

Steps #1
The foremost step in patenting an idea is keeping quiet. Yes keep your mouth shut and do not publicize about your invention before you file it for patenting. Because if somebody else goes and files before you for the same idea then person will own the idea or invention and not you. So keep it a secret. If in case you disclose it before applying for patenting then within a year you have to file for patenting otherwise anyone from anywhere can use that idea or invention without your permission. So be careful.

Step #2
This is a very important step. You need to document your idea carefully now so that the authorities get a clear idea about your invention. This documentation task is quite similar to writing a research paper where a concerned person has to make certain claims and has to support it with adequate proofs and examples. Similarly, you have to write every detail about your invention, how viable it is, how practical it is, how beneficial it can be for society, etc. This entire document is known as patent specification.

Step #3
You need to present this patent specification document to the perspective patent authorities. But first, you need to approach the state patent office and get the patent filing date. Before they assign you a date, they will go through your patent specification and determine if your idea is worth patenting. Once you clear the initial speculations from the authorities, you will be assigned a date on which you can file for a patent. The document has to fall under their criteria and must comply with their rules and regulations which are generally standard. Along with a date, they can also allot you some time to make few changes or improvements in the document.

Step #4
Now comes a very important step. The authorities will conduct a research if the same idea has been patented before. This takes quite a long time, say, 18 months or so. Once the search for same idea is completed, the report is compiled by the authorities. If the idea or invention already exists then your application will be rejected or you may have to change certain things about your invention. In such a case, you have the option to go the court of law and prove the originality of your idea or invention. If everything goes smooth, you reach the next level.

Step #5
Once you come clear through the tedious process, your application would be accepted and you will be granted a patent. But you have to pay prescribed administrative charges for that. With the patent, you will be assigned the date of issue and date of infringement that will signify your monopoly over the invention which can be exclusively your intellectual property for that specific period.

Now you know how to patent an idea or product. Generally, people avoid initiating the process of applying for patent because of the complexities involved in it. They generally hire a lawyer or an agent who guides them throughout the process. But obviously you have to pay them. Or if you have a friend who is a patent agent then you are lucky. All the best!