Products that can be associated with utility patents include: Software products. Machines and mechanisms. Chemical formulations such as pharmaceutical drugs, medical patents such as patient management software, physical therapy devices, and others.
Can inventions be protected only by patents?
No, the Philippine patent application shall cover one invention only or a group of inventions forming a single general inventive concept.
What are the 3 types of patents and what type inventions do they protect?
The three types of patents are utility patents, design patents, and plant patents. A utility patents protect the function of a composition, machine, or process. A design patent protects the decorative appearance of an item. A plant patent protects a new or distinct variety of a plant.
Can you patent an idea without a prototype?
Many inventors wonder if they need a prototype prior to patenting an invention. The simple answer is “no’. A prototype is not required prior to filing a patent application with the U.S. Patent Office. While prototypes can be valuable in developing your invention, they can also be costly.
How do I protect an invention without a patent?
If you determine that the invention is probably not patentable, the most effective way to protect yourself is to have prospective licensees sign a nondisclosure agreement before you reveal your invention. This document is sometimes called an “NDA” or a “confidentiality agreement,” but the terms are similar.
What can and Cannot be patented?
Certain things can never be patented, regardless of how well they meet these four standards. They include the elements, theoretical plans, laws of nature, physical phenomena, and abstract ideas. … Otherwise, the USPTO will not grant the patent even if you’re trying to patent a great idea.
Is my idea patented already?
There are Three Steps to Discover Whether an Idea is Patented Already. Go to the official website of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Use the “Full-Text and Image Database” search to verify any present patent applications and pictures. You can find filed applications and pictures for patents filed after 1975.
What is a poor man’s patent?
The theory behind the “poor man’s patent” is that, by describing your invention in writing and mailing that documentation to yourself in a sealed envelope via certified mail (or other proof-of-delivery mail), the sealed envelope and its contents could be used against others to establish the date that the invention was …
How much does it cost to patent an idea?
A patent can cost from $900 for a do-it-yourself application to between $5,000 and $10,000+ with the help of patent lawyers. A patent protects an invention and the cost of the process to get the patent will depend on the type of patent (provisional, non-provisional, or utility) and the complexity of the invention.
How can I patent my idea for free?
Steps to Filing a Patent Application
- Keep a Written Record of Your Invention. Record every step of the invention process in a notebook. …
- Make Sure Your Invention Qualifies for Patent Protection. …
- Assess the Commercial Potential of Your Invention. …
- Conduct a Thorough Patent Search. …
- Prepare and File an Application With the USPTO.
Who can build my prototype?
You may wish to hire professional prototype developers, engineers and designers, but others may be able to help you as well, including a handyman, a machinist or a student from a local industrial design college. The complexity and materials to be used in your specific product will help drive this decision.