Your invention must be protected before you can post it on InventBay.com. Invention protection is a well-known process you can complete yourself. To learn more, review the information below.
The Patent Process Overview
Types of Patents:
Provisional Patent Application
Non-Provisional (Utility) Patent Application Filing Guide
Design Patent Application Filing Guide
Plant Patent Application
International Application
There are three ways to legally protect your concept and/or invention. Each have their drawbacks and limitations, but all three give you documented proof of your invention and a date that which you disclosed this information publicly.
- A Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement protects you from the a company to which that you have disclosed invention information/details, blocking them from legally circumventing you or “stealing your idea and/or invention”. It is the weakest form of protection, but it is better than nothing at all. It may constitute disclosure when notarized-- which means that you have one year from the date of the agreement to file the Non-Provisional (Utility) Patent Application.
- 2. Disclosure Documentation can be accomplished by purchasing a spiral bound notebook (the kind that does not allow for any additional pages to be inserted) and using it to detail your idea and/or invention, in ink, along with any sketches or drawings. After you have documented your idea and/or invention, the next step is to have the very next blank notebook page notarized. This process consitutes public disclosure of your idea and/or invention, which starts the clock ticking. You are allowed on the one year from that date to file a Non-Provisional Patent Application or Provisional (Utility) Patent Application for your idea/invention.
- It’s easy to file a Provisional Patent Application yourself. From the above listed website, you can get obtain the necessary form and instructions to file your application with the USPTO. Mailing the paperwork via certified mail starts the one year “patent pending” status. Your receipt from the post office showing the date it was mailed documents your starting date. You must file a Non-Provisional (Utility) Patent Application within one year of that date. Once you have filed, you continue to have “patent pending” status from that date on until you are either issued a patent, been rejected for some reason, or until you abandon the appeals process of the USPTO. Although filing a Provisional Patent Application is the strongest of the three options, you only have one year from this filing, which is not a long period of time. Having “patent pending” status does act as more of a deterrent than the other options because it gives you documented status with the USPTO that can be used against any individual and/or company that might try to “steal your idea or invention”. Securing this documented relationship with the USPTO does give you added support if you have to legally pursue an individual or company that tries to circumvent you and “steal your invention”.