Where and how can I get a patent and file on my own and how much generally will it cost in all?
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Anonymous
ANSWERS: 3
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Well this is a bit dated... and very U.S.-specific... it's been years since I filed a patent application. But you can do it yourself, there are plenty of books and online resources, such as this one: http://tinyurl.com/5rhsq Basically, you have to provide a description of your invention and a fee (it used to be about $500 ten years ago, I don't know what it is now.) The hardest part about the process is dealing with prior art and challenges. Patent examiners are busy, and they don't want to look stupid by granting a patent for an invention which isn't novel. But there's no way they can know everything which is novel, so when they first look at your application, they do a quick prior-art search, and kick your app back to you with a bunch of citations which are only vaguely related to your invention. Your job then becomes to explain how your invention is distinct from these prior-art citations, and then wait for them to respond, and respond to their response, etc. It can take quite a bit of time. A patent attorney will handle these exchanges for you to a large degree, but of course that can be expensive.
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You can file a patent application online at: http://www.uspto.gov/ebc/efs_help.html The filing fee for a patent is $75 - $300 depending on the type of patent and type of organization filing for the patent. You will also need to have a patent search done. The PTO charges up to $300 for this. In addition, there could be additional fees if your application is over 100 pages, or if your application is not complete or correct. A list of all possible fees can be found at: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/ac/qs/ope/fee2007february01.htm FYI: You can find a patent attorney who will handle the filing for about $2000. If your application is incorrect and needs to be corrected, the fees could be greater than $2000.
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It can be REALLY expensive depending on what you want to patent. Check out this website for a rundown on some of the costs. Don't t faint, now:-) http://www.ipwatchdog.com/patent_cost.html It can cost from $4,000 to $25,000+
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