How to Patent a Charm

Patents are designed to protect inventors for having their inventions duplicated and used to make profits by others. This legal protection can be acquired by filing for patents through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Patents fall under utility, design, or plant classifications. A charm designed for a bracelet or necklace would be classified as a utility patent, as it is an "article of manufacture." Once issued, a utility patent provides about 20 years of protection.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access

Instructions

Prepare

1. Fill out the Declaration for Utility or Design Patent Application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

2. Describe the charm in a Portable Document Format or text document that satisfies United States Code Title 35, Section 112 requirements.

3. Illustrate the charm in a PDF document that satisfies United States Code Title 35, Section 113 requirements.

Application

1. Register with the Electronic Patent Registration provided by the Patent and Trademark Office.

2. Under "New Application," select the "Utility" option.

3. Complete application data, including the charm name, inventor name, address and phone number.

4. Upload the necessary documents, including the declaration, description and illustrations.

5. Pay appropriate fees (about $515, not including research or examination fees). See References for the complete 2009 fee schedule.

6. Submit application.

7. Print acknowledgment receipt.

Tips & Warnings

• Maintenance fees are required for protection throughout the patent's duration.

References

• Uspto.gov: Patent Information
• Uspto.gov: Patent Types
• Uspto.gov: 2009 Fee Schedule

Resources

• Uspto.gov: Declaration for Utility or Design Patent Application
• Uspto.gov: United States Code Title 35 - Patents
• Uspto.gov: Electronic Patent Registration