KWD: 10441 2.26Patent ServicesThe Patent Services Determine The Invention's Patentability. This Is Done By Carefully Reviewing The Invention. The Examination Process Of Patent Services Usually Lasts For 12 To 18 Months. The Patent Services Will Not Tell You If Your Invention Has Already Been Invented By Someone Else Unless You Apply For A Patent. The Patent Services Examiners Only Verify That The Description And Claims Per Description By Their Inventors Are New, Unique, And Not Obvious To The Patent Services. Patent Services Could Not Make Confirmation With Regards To The Usefulness Or Profitability Of The Invention.Before Applying For A Patent, Inventors Can Make A Search Of Patents Already Granted, Text Books, Journals And Other Publications To Be Sure That Someone Else Has Not Already Invented Their Idea. They May Hire Someone To Do It For Them Or May Do The Search Themselves At The Public Search Room Of The Patent Services In Arlington, Virginia, On The PTO Web Page On The Internet, Or At One Of The Patent And Trademark Depository Libraries Across The Country.There Are Three Different Types Of Patents That Are Available Under U.S. Law:(1) A Utility Patent On The Functional Or Structural Aspects Of An Apparatus, Composition Of Matter, Method, Or Process; (2) A Design Patent On The Ornamental Design Of Useful Objects; And (3) A Plant Patent On A New Variety Of Living Plant. There Are Several Requirements For An Invention To Be Patentable, Which Are: (1) Useful, (2) Novel, And (3) Non-obvious. The Novelty Requirement Of Patent Services Is Often Consider The Entry Test For Patentability. A Patent Cannot Cover A Pure Law Of Nature Or A Business Idea. In Addition, There Is A Time Limitation Which May Be Applicable To A Given Invention. Under U.S. Law, A Patent Must Be Applied For Within One Year Of The First Offer For Sale, Public Use Or Publication Of The Invention.Each Type Of Patent Confers The Right To Exclude Others From Infringing On The Invention, Industrial Design, Or Plant Variety. Patents Do Not Protect Ideas, But Rather Structures And Methods That Apply Technological Concepts. In Return For Getting A Patent And Receiving The Right To Exclude Others, The Inventor Must Relinquish The Secrecy Of The Invention And Fully Disclose The Best Mode Of Making And Using The Invention To The Public.The Patent Cost Can Be Very High For Some People Although Fees For The Patent Application, Issue And Maintenance Fees And Other Related Fees Are Reduced By 50 Percent When The Applicant Is A Small Business Or Individual Inventor. The Patent Services Charges A Minimum Of About 4,000 Over The Life Of The Patent.
