You can prepare and file your own patent application for your invention (just like you can represent yourself in court). But remember, there is an old saying that goes . . . “he who represents himself, has a fool for his attorney.” There are some things that are best left to the professional.
Protecting your invention is no simple task. First, you need to understand how to write a patent application that fully describes your invention and alternatives (to prevent “knock-offs”). You also need to show your invention in drawings.
Most important, you must claim your invention. The claims define the legal boundaries of your invention. If your claims are too broad, the examiner at the Patent Office will reject your patent application. If your claims are too narrow, your competitors will be able to easily design around your invention and your patent application won’t be worth the paper its written on.
Drafting claims takes experience. Patent attorneys work for years learning how to draft claims that are broad enough to protect inventions, without being so broad that the Patent Office won’t issue a patent for the invention.
Think twice before deciding to go it alone. Do you really have the expertise to write a quality patent application yourself? Who will you turn to when your patent application gets rejected by the Patent Office? Will you really save that much money compared with using a qualified patent attorney?
