How to Start Up New Inventions
If you have invented something, your first step will be to obtain patent protection in as many nations as you can. After that, you will need to market your invention to manufacturers. Then you should conclude multiple licensing agreements with various manufacturers. At that point, you will be able to receive royalties until your patent expires (14 to 20 years from your initial filing date, depending on the nation and the type of patent you apply for).
- Difficulty:
- Challenging
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Invention specifications and claims
- Invention prototype
- Multimedia marketing materials
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1
Create an abstract of one page or less that describes how your invention works, what it is used for and how it is made. You should also briefly describe the technology that makes your invention unique.
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2
Use your abstract to search for previously patented technology that may be similar to the technology used in your invention. An online search engine is available from the website of the World Intellectual Property Organization (see Resources section).
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3
Create specifications and legal claims for your invention with the help of a patent attorney. Specifications should be detailed enough to allow someone to manufacture your invention. Legal claims are carefully crafted statements designed to show that your invention qualifies for patent protection under the three main requirement for patentability--novelty, utility and non-obviousness.
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4
File an international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). The process will begin by submitting a patent application to the appropriate office of the PCT International Searching Authority. A central receiving office is in Geneva, Switzerland, and regional offices can be found in Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Finland, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Spain, Sweden and the United States. Although the PCT does not issue patents, it will take care of the preliminary phase of a patent application, and its examination is recognized by every PCT member country.
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5
Submit final patent applications to the individual patent offices of every nation where you desire protection. When a patent is granted, patent protection will be extended retroactive to the date you filed your PCT application.
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6
Contact a manufacturer and have a prototype of your invention made. A prototype is a powerful marketing tool and proves that your invention can actually be made.
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7
Create multimedia marketing materials to promote your invention. These materials should include brochures, PowerPoint presentations and other audiovisual materials.
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8
Locate and contact manufacturers who might be interested in your invention, using an online manufacturer's directory (see Resources section).
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9
Make presentations to interested manufacturers using your marketing materials and prototype. Offer to enter into negotiations with them to grant nonexclusive licenses to manufacture and sell your invention.
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10
Conclude licensing agreements with interested manufacturers. A good licensing agreement will include a minimum royalties clause, so that manufacturers will have an additional incentive to promote your invention to end users.
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Tips & Warnings
It is unwise to attempt to complete this process without the assistance of an attorney. Hire a patent attorney when filing your patent application, and have a business attorney represent you when negotiating a license agreement.
Do not publicize the details of your invention until you have filed a patent application in every country where you wish to obtain protection. Early publication could result in your invention becoming permanently ineligible for patent protection.
