Patent and Trademark Personal Experiences

February 13, 2024

My first task is to search https://patents.google.com/if my invention is something that already exists. For this search I used:

https://patents.google.com/

Try to use words that clearly describes your invention. Check on the results and see if there are similar inventions that already exist. There may be similar solutions but you need to check on the objectives and the technologies used for each existing solution to make sure your invention is an innovation.

If your search does not detect any invention similar to your, the next step is to go to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and go through the process described in the figure above:

https://www.uspto.gov/

Your first task for filing your patent is to define what entity you are. This is because there is a big difference on the patent fees depending on the entity you are:

https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/save-on-fees

In my case, I am a micro entity so I have to fill out the micro entity form shown below:

https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sb0015a.pdf

• Application number: leave blank.

• Patent number: leave blank.

• First named inventor: your full name

• Title of invention: your invention name

• Signature: electronic signature is as follows, including the forward brackets: /Your Full Name/

• Name: include your full name again

• Date: include the date

• Telephone: include your full phone number

• Registration number: leave blank

February 14, 2024

The next step in the process as shown above is to file a provisional application. Why is it important to file a provisional application?

The provisional application enables you to obtain quickly an official filing date before the public disclosure of the invention. Filing a provisional application enables you to use the "patent pending" note in any document until you get final patent. Note that you have 12 months after filing the provisional application to file the non-provisional application which is the complete patent application.

See details at:

https://www.uspto.gov/patents/basics/apply/provisional-application

To file a provisional utility patent application you are going to need:

• Cover sheet form: https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/sb0016.pdf

• The invention description, design and drawings

• The micro entity form described before

• Payment for the provisional application fee