Patenting for Inventors

In this episode I go through the initial step of claim drafting, which is first to identify what your invention actually is. I go through an example of patented multi-bit screwdriver using the "prune and distill" and "problem and solution" methods of identifying the invention. Only after you have first identified the invention should you begin to draft claims and the rest of your invention.

In this episode I go over what provisional patent applications are, the differences between provisional and non-provisional patent applications, the pros and cons of provisional patent applications, and the requirements for provisional patent applications.

In this episode I go through what happens from when you file your patent application until your patent issues. There are lots of twists and turns your application can take so this is just a general overview of what happens and what you should do when you get a rejection, and your options, such as amending your application, arguing for patentability, filing a request for continued examination, appealing to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, Federal Circuit, and Supreme Court. Details will be covered in future episodes.

In this episode I go through a brief introduction of the main six parts of a patent: 1) the abstract, 2) background of the invention, 3) summary of the invention, 4) brief description of drawings, 5) detailed description of the embodiments, and 6) the claims. In later episodes I will go over more details about each of these parts.

In this episode I go through the problems of telling people about your invention, who you should get to sign non-disclosure agreements, and the deadlines to file your patent application if you've already disclosed your invention to the public.

In this episode I go through ways to do a patent search, including key word searches, classification searches, and forward/backward citation searches. I also go through an example patent search for an avocado slicer where you can follow along.

In this episode I go through the next steps to determine whether your invention might be patentable. In order to receive a patent, your invention must be new, useful, and non-obvious. But how is that determined? This episode will give you a quick rundown.

In this episode I tackle the question of whether your idea (or embodiments of your idea) is even eligible to receive a patent. I go through inventions and discoveries that can be subject to a patent, and ones that cannot be subject to a patent.

In this episode I go through the four main types of intellectual property so you can determine whether you might need patent, trademark, copyright and/or trade secret protection.