What are the steps for obtaining a patent?
Generally, the process for obtaining a patent can be broken down into four primary steps: First, the inventor can have a search done at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to see if anything, the same or similar to the invention, has been done before. From the results of the search, a patent attorney can give you an idea of whether you patent will receive broad or narrow coverage, or whether your invention is patentable at all. See below for an explanation of what it means to have broad or narrow coverage. This is an optional step. There is no requirement that the inventor perform a patent search prior to the filing of an application, but the search can help determine whether meaningful patent protection is available and aids in drafting a specification that meets the patent statue’s requirements. Second, a patent application is prepared and submitted to the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office with the filing fee. The patent application contains a full description of the invention and conclu
