Denver Patent Attorney Q & A Part 6

What if I am still developing my invention?

Even if you are still developing your invention, you can file a provisional patent application. Then if you come up with more developments during the one year before the provisional patent application expires, you can add those new features to the regular patent application. This way, nothing gets left out.

What if my product is fully developed?

Even if you think your invention is fully developed, it’s always good to get a second opinion (and a third opinion, and a fourth opinion . . . ). Showing your invention to friends and family, having a prototype built, and testing your invention may all lead to improvements, fixing things that don’t work, or coming up with different ways of implementing your invention.

Can I show my invention to others without losing rights to my invention?

Getting those second opinions means showing your invention to others, which can be risky business if you haven’t already filed at least a provisional patent application. In addition to reducing the risk that someone sees your invention and claims it as their own, a provisional patent application can also be important evidence that your invention belongs to you.

What if I want to test the market for my invention?

Maybe you think your invention is the greatest idea since the light bulb. You’ve told your spouse and a few close friends, and they all agree. But what really counts is how your invention is what the customers think. There are many patents issued every year, and many more patent applications filed, that never make it in the marketplace. Wouldn’t it be good to get some customer feedback to find out whether your invention is really all you think it is? Wouldn’t it be good to know whether your invention will be an instant success, whether it needs some more work, or whether it’s a total flop before you invest too much time, effort, and money in this idea?