How To Get A Patent

If you think you have a great invention and want to have it patented, you must file an application with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The process can be complicated. Your idea must be explained clearly to a patent examiner to determine whether it is new and useful. You must have an illustration of the device in action. Many people hire patent attorneys, which can be very expensive, to make sure that their patents conform to the U.S. Patent Office rules. If you get a patent, your invention will be assigned a unique number and you alone will have the right to sell your device. For more information, contact the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office at Crystal Plaza 3, Room 2C02, Washington, DC, 20231, or visit their website at www.uspto.gov .