If you are new to the product development and the invention process, there is a good chance that you have considered protecting your idea by filing a patent(s). We’ve compiled a list of 5 great patent tips to help get you started down the right path.
Get a solid prior art search done first to make sure you have at least a reasonable chance at getting a patent before you spend money having an application prepared.
Use a quality patent attorney or a patenting agency, such as InventHelp, with a solid number of patents in his/her name, meet with them, and make sure they a) have enough time to prepare the application, b) appear smart enough to understand your technology, and c) have a good business sense such that in the future they can be something more than just the person who drafted the application.
Give the patent attorney a “snapshot” of your invention, and stick to the snapshot. Nothing drives a patent attorney crazier than quoting a fixed price for preparing a patent application on invention A, then having the inventor change the invention to Invention A1, then change the invention to Invention A2, and expect the patent attorney to revise the application at no charge. Commit to what your invention is and realize that any changes you make will be billed outside of the fixed price you were quoted.
Play an active role in the preparation of your patent application. You know the most about your invention, so why not help out? Sure, you probably can’t help with the claim language, but you can certainly help out be advising how many figures need to be used and fill in areas where the patent attorney does not know all the technology involved.
During the time your patent application is pending, stay up on changes in patent law. Patent laws in the US are changing at a very rapid rate. It would be better for you to be following these changes so that you can better anticipate the likelihood that you will receive a patent and how strong that patent might be, and to plan your business strategy accordingly. You can find more useful tips like these on http://www.sfweekly.com/sponsored/why-inventors-turn-to-experts-like-inventhelp/.