subject: Learn How You Can Protect Your Invention Through Patents- 2 Scenarios? [print this page] How was your invention or new production born? Was it a sudden flash of imagination? It could very well have been this, because hundreds of great ideas have been born in this way. Or is it a result of a lot of years of toil? Whatever it is, you will surely be anxious to protect it. And you should definitely do this. No matter how it came, your invention is the result of your efforts, knowledge, creativity and vision. If you have the patent, you can be sure that nobody will be able to steal it.
Patents are issued for new products. A patent can also be issued for a testing process, a new process of manufacturing, for chemical compounds, and an alternative use of an already existing product. However you should know that the invention's scope can, and does, varies from one country to another. But generally, you will be able to patent your invention, if it can be applied in any type of industry.
Before making your application to the patent office, do consider the obvious. Ask yourself - Is my innovation novel enough? Is it non-obvious? If you have answered in the affirmative to both these questions, then you have a case in your hand. You can approach the office, and ask for a patent on your invention or innovation.
Are You the First?
*Perhaps the innovation that you have come out with is something new. But you will not be able to get a patent for it, if another person or corporation has been working on it as well, and if this person or business has already approached the office and asked for a patent. Of course, two separate patents can never be granted for the same thing. Remember, the patent office will not consider who invented it first. The board will only see whose application came in first.
*There is another scenario. Perhaps the competitor has not yet formally made the application. However, news about it has already been published in a magazine or journal. Or perhaps it has been covered in a newspaper report or a television show. Perhaps it has even been marketed to the people. You cannot apply for a patent if any of these things have happened. If you do, your application will be rejected. Your competitor came first, and so, that person or corporation will probably get the patent.
You cannot do anything about it. This is why you should never delay. If you have something unique, go ahead and get a patent for it.
