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- Got a Million Dollar Idea? Don’t Leave it Unprotected!
Got a Million Dollar Idea? Don’t Leave it Unprotected!
Welcome to The Innovators Insight.
Every Saturday, you’ll get an actionable email explaining everything you need to know about physical product concept design, development, fundraising, and marketing so you can develop your ideas from sketch to scale.
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Got a great new product idea?
Don't leave it unprotected. Or worse - let someone else steal and profit from your invention.
Securing a patent is the only way to reap what you sow as an innovator.
But the process is filled with pitfalls...
Miss one step and you can kiss your rights goodbye.
In this guide, you'll discover:
The inventor's journal - your secret weapon for patent success
Why you must search before you apply
How lawyers maximize your approval odds
The key sections of an application
When you can stop worrying and start making money
Let's get into it.
Document Everything in an Inventor's Journal
You sketch product ideas constantly. But those napkins won't cut it as records.
You need an inventor's journal to document every conception, test, and iteration. Capture both words and images. Describe failures as well as successes.
This provides irrefutable proof you originated the invention.
Without it, someone can claim your idea as their own. Then cash in while you kick yourself.
Treat your notebook like a sacred text to establish your rights.
Search Patents First - Here's How
What if your "new" idea already exists?
Don't learn the hard way after wasting months of time and patent lawyers’ fees.
First, search existing patents on the USPTO database for anything similar. Broaden your terms and categories.
Still nothing? Then your invention has a high chance of approval.
But if you unearth concerning overlaps, modify your design before moving forward.
Searching first prevents pain later.
Why Patent Lawyers Are Worth Their Weight in Gold
When it comes to patents, DIY stands for "Disaster It Yourself."
Navigating the maze solo is asking for a dead end.
That's why you need an experienced patent attorney in your corner.
They know the regulations inside out.They can craft an application that convinces examiners your invention is truly novel.
A top lawyer massively boosts your odds of approval. Their expertise pays for itself tenfold.
Fill Out Your Application Strategically
Your lawyer will handle every section, but here's what's included:
Detailed background
Patent drawings
Claims defining your IP
Specifications explaining functionality
Required gov't filing fees
After submission, expect a long wait - around 18 months for approval. Time to stock up on patience.
But crossing the finish line delivers a 20-year patent. Time to profit!
Final thoughts
With the right preparation, patents are attainable for any inventor.
Document everything, search thoroughly, retain a great lawyer, file a complete application, and exercise patience.
Your ironclad patent will be ready before you know it.
Let's connect to discuss how we can protect your brilliant ideas.
See you next week…
Roy
Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
Raise crowdfunding: We can help you turn your product prototype into an investible asset. If you’ve got a working prototype, and need funding to scale, send me a direct message on Linkedin (click here) saying “funding” for more details on how we can help.
Validate your physical product concept: Got a concept (napkin sketch or full concept design) for a killer product? We want to see it. Click here to submit it for review.
Free Guide - Crowdfunding 101: How to prepare your physical product for a crowdfunding campaign. Click here to learn more.
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