Protecting Your Intellectual Property
Protection begins with you—the inventor or entrepreneur. Your
first step is to describe your concept as completely and accurately
as you can in your own handwriting in a permanently bound note book.
Sign and date each page of entry. Draw a line through any blank pages
or areas on a page; date the line and sign the page as if it were
filled with entries. Ask a witness who can understand your concept
to read, sign, date and attest to their understanding on each page.
An additional witness may also sign and date each page for added
protection if so desired.
Drawings, sketches and printouts may be fastened permanently to pages in your
notebook. Sign and date each such affixed item and have all such pages witnessed
just like your handwritten pages. These primary records will form the basis
for your patent application. They will also be vital in asserting your legal
rights in the event of any later legal proceeding. Keep your notebook in a
secure place. We do not recommend keeping your primary data only on computer(s)
or other electronic memory device(s) unless competent legal counsel advises
you otherwise. Always print out such information and affix it SECURELY to pages
in your bound notebook as above. The above is not intended to be legal advice;
it is simply a procedure we have used over the years.
Registry of Intellectual Property + Patents
Disclosure
Document Program — US PTO. "A service provided by
the US Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) is the acceptance and
preservation for two years of "Disclosure Documents" as
evidence of the date of conception of an invention.
Inventor's Log
book — http://TENonline.org. Where your legal protection
begins.
Patentcafe/firstuse — Any
Gibbs. A private alternative.
Intellectual
Property — IP Australia. Patents, Trademarks, Designs.
Anatomy
of a Patent — U. S. PTO Site. Describes the elements
of a patent.
How
to get a Patent — Patent and Trademark Office.
Patent
Glossary — LawNotes TM. Site for researching the meanings
of terms in Intellectual-Property Law.
Patent
Help — InventNET. Victor Lavrov's site. Resources for the
beginner, intermediate and advanced practitioners of the creative arts
of invention.
Patent Information
Service —David Kiewit, Registered Patent Agent. " Patent-faq
a FAQ on ideas, inventions and patents."
Patent
It Yourself — David Pressman. A good place to order David
Pressman's classic and best selling do-it-yourself book on patents.
Patent
Services — George Morgan, Registered Patent Agent. "Specializing
in new product protection, development and marketing. A Full range
of patenting services for inventors."
Protecting
Inventions Internationally — Ladas and Perry. A must visit
for those considering world coverage. Discusses the Paris Convention
or Patent Cooperation Treaty, PCT. For an overview, see also: Patent
Cooperation Treaty — Brown, Pinnisi & Michaels.
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