How to file a patent with InventHelp

InventHelp steps to get an idea patented? InventHelp maintains a Data Bank of thousands of companies which have agreed to confidentially review our clients’ ideas. Companies joining our Data Bank are interested in looking for new inventions and represent many different types of industries. We call this the InventHelp Data Bank. See additional info at How to patent an idea by InventHelp. We state our prices up front. We are upfront with our fees. We state our fees upfront and rely on the fees paid to perform services.

If two or more persons make an invention jointly, they apply for a patent as joint inventors. A person who makes only a financial contribution is not a joint inventor and cannot be joined in the application as an inventor. It is possible to correct an innocent mistake in erroneously omitting an inventor or in erroneously naming a person as an inventor. Officers and employees of the United States Patent and Trademark Office are prohibited by law from applying for a patent or acquiring, directly or indirectly, except by inheritance or bequest, any patent or any right or interest in any patent.

InventHelp was established in 1984 with the intention of helping inventors with invention ideas. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA, InventHelp employs researchers, animators, writers, website facilitators, customer service representatives, and more. The invention company has sales offices in the United States and Canada. Don’t live near one of our 60+ sales offices? A team of sales representatives is available to take your call. Discover more information on how to patent an idea.

Why is it important to act quickly? Timing is very important when applying for a patent. The United States utilizes a ‘first to file’ system, which means – in a race to the Patent Office where two or more inventors are seeking patent protection for the same invention, the patent would be awarded to the inventor who filed their patent application first, regardless of whether or not he was the first and true inventor of the invention. This is a very important reason why you should carefully consider whether or not a patent application should be prepared and filed in the United States Patent Office as quickly as possible.

Although there are no legal obligations for patent agents, state courts have also imposed confidentiality obligations for patent attorneys. However, the duty of confidentiality for patent agents is not as strong as that imposed on attorneys, and the state bar’s rules don’t directly govern the conduct of patent agents. Regardless, patent agents are obligated by law to maintain the confidentiality of their clients. So, it is advisable to protect your business’s information by not disclosing it to your patent attorney. When writing a patent application, it’s imperative to use non-gendered pronouns, such as “she” instead of “she”. The use of these words can result in confusion and ambiguity. Instead, state clearly who performs an action. Minor mistakes can have major implications. Always seek professional proofreading to avoid any mistakes. Likewise, avoid using personal pronouns when hiring a patent attorney. Discover more details on patent your invention.

Before hiring a patent attorney, get an accurate estimate of the fees you’ll incur. You should also ask for references and testimonials from other clients, and be wary of any firm that is reluctant to disclose its clientele. This can tell you a lot about their working style and personality. You should work with an honest patent attorney who will be upfront about the costs associated with a project. The costs involved in patenting can easily be over $30k, but you can’t be certain until you know exactly what you’ll be spending.

Edward Lenart, the inventor of this innovative hand tool, developed the Lenart Trim/Molding Puller while performing renovations in his own home. He attempted to remove the molding and trim from a couple rooms while keeping them intact for re-use, a task that proved to be much more difficult than he initially thought. After developing and improving upon a few prototypes, he felt ready to bring his invention to market. In July of 2009, he approached InventHelp and purchased their services in the hopes of finding a company interested in licensing his invention. Read extra details on InventHelp.