You've created a new invention and have decided to register it. This is the first step in a process that many inventors must take if they feel that they can make a profit from their invention or if they feel that their invention will in some way make an impact on life in society. The process for registering an invention can be lengthy and expensive; however to get any real gain from your invention it is a process that you must go through.

Gather and Document Your Invention

To register your invention, you will need proof of the invention. The proof that you provide then needs to be documented. Documentation proof will include any drawings, blueprints, design schematics, pictures or video that you have from the process of design, construction and testing of your invention. This shows a process of development that is unique to the overall design and deployment of your new invention. Often inventors come across a similar device invented by another person, so you must differentiate your device from the other and provide proof that it is indeed yours. Bring the documentation to the U.S. Patent Office or Department of Commerce and pay the required fee to have them process your documents. You will speak with a patent clerk or patent attorney who will discuss with you the fee and options of copyright and trademark laws. Note that these attorneys will charge a fee that could well exceed over $20,000 to register a new invention, however this is the only reliable way to register your invention.

Register for a Trademark

Trademarks are established by selling your product and simply adding the "TM" symbol to the title of your product. You are not required by law to have a registered trademark, however this is highly recommended by many inventors. A registered trademark provides government protection in the event that another inventor uses the title of your product to try and sell the product. This gives you the right to file a lawsuit for trademark violations. Before registering a trademark you need to perform a comprehensive search of all trademarks that are registered, unregistered, or pending. Many times a catchy name for a product is thought of by an inventor and they come to find out that someone else has previously registered that trademark. Trademark registry is simple but does take a considerable length of processing time, and can take up to a year or 18 months with registration fees and annual fees to pay throughout the process.

Source:

Idea4Invention: How to Register Trademarks

US. Government Copyright Office

From Patent to Profit.com: Registering a Trademark

More Information:

U.S. Patent Office/ Department of Commerce