How to Start an Invention
Starting an invention can be a lengthy and difficult process but it can yield numerous rewards. Your invention could make you a substantial amount of money if it fills a serious market need. Additionally, many inventors are eventually able to quit their jobs and become full-time inventors. If you are a success, you would be able to work your own hours and spend time developing ideas that you are passionate about.
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Instructions
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Keep a diary or journal of all of your ideas. Be perceptive of your environment and look for inspiration in everyday things. Pay attention to things that you think people may need to make their lives easier or more efficient. Write down at least one unique idea or drawing each day and record your notes in your journal.
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Decide upon a single concept and further refine the idea. Write down different attributes of your idea and how it will differ from those of potential competitors.
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Conduct an online search with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website to search for existing patents for your idea. If a patent already exists, it's best to focus on another idea. Hire a patent attorney to search existing patents for you if you have the necessary budget.
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Once you determine that your idea is unique, build and test your invention. This is an important step; if a similar patent is filed at the same time, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office will award the patent to the party who built and tested his invention first.
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File an official patent application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Send the required funds for the filing fee, patient search fee, and examination fee.
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Await a response from the USPTO. It may take one year or more until a patent examiner reviews your invention.
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Respond to the First Office Action notice from the USPTO. In that notice, you will address any issues that the patent examiner has noted with your patent application. File your First Response. Await a response from the USPTO, which may take up to one year.
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Respond to the Second Office Action notice from the USPTO. In that notice, you will address any further faults that the patent examiner finds with your patent application. File your Second Response. Await a response from the USPTO, which may take up to several months.
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Await a final decision from the USPTO. You will either receive a Final Rejection or Notice of Allowance. If you receive a Final Rejection, you cannot reapply with the same idea but you can modify your idea and re-apply. If you receive a notice of allowance, you can start marketing your invention to your target audience.
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