You’re here looking for patent assistance information. Lucky you, there’s a lot of help for you! I’m going to guide you in the right direction, however first you need to decide what type of assistance you actually need!
After reading my explanations, decide what it is you’re actually looking for and then put the search terms I suggest into the search box at the bottom of this page.
Professional Patent Assistance
Patent Attorneys: Patent attorneys are a terrific choice for businesses. Patent attorneys usually do complete uspto patent search including words you probably haven’t thought of, they will also file a patent application for you and make sure your idea is protected against things you, again, would not have thought of.
Patent attorneys are not cheap. If your idea is a simple one, you can expect to pay around $5,000. If your idea is complex, your patent lawyer fees could be upwards of $15,000. A patent attorney will not tell you if they think your idea is good or bad, nor if it will sell well in the marketplace. That’s your job.
Suggested Search Phrases: Patent Attorney Houston, Patent Lawyer San Diego, Intellectual Property Attorney Atlanta
Patent Agents: Patent Agents have some similarity to patent attorneys except they are not attorneys at law. Patent Agents are as qualified at offering patent assistance as patent attorneys to search the USPTO, prepare, file, and negotiate with the USPTO on the inventor’s behalf. Unlike patent attorneys, patent agents can not draw up contracts for inventors wishing to sell, lease, or assign a patent or ideas. You’ll find that the fees for patent agents will be lower than patent attorneys. Just like patent attorneys, the USPTO has a list of registered patent agents.
Suggested Search Phrases: Patent Agent Los Angeles
Invention Assistance Firms: There are several firms that are more like big hubs for inventors called Invention Assistance firms or companies. These firms will, like the patent attorney above, offer patent assistance including a complete USPTO patent search, file a patent application or send you to a patent lawyer, help you with the prototype if needed, and shop your new invention to their list of potential invention investors or buyers, and answer most any question you have about the patent process. Just like the patent attorney, these firms would not tell you if your idea will sell well. However, you’ll get a pretty good indicator by the results they get by shopping around your invention. Some patent assistance firms cost less than a patent attorney and some also have monthly payment plans rather than the thousands of dollars up front.
Suggested Search Phrases: Invention Help, Invention Marketing, Invention Services
Prototypes: A prototype is not needed to file a patent application. It is only needed when you’re ready to shop for invention investors, distributors, manufacturers or licensors. The only reason I put the Prototype on the patent assistance page is that so many people think a prototype is necessary to file a patent. A prototype can be many things, a working model of your idea, a semi-working model, and even a 3D rendering. Depending on the invention, a prototype can be constructed with foam or modeling clay. Other prototypes will have to be constructed by an engineer and can cost between $2,000 and $100,000 depending on the complexity of the invention itself. Thanks to 3D software, virtual prototypes can also be used to simulate the invention and how it works. For a few thousand dollars, maybe more or less, a professional will create a 3D rendering and animation of your invention showing how it works. You will want to find someone locally to help you with your prototype.
Suggested Search Phrases: 3D software, CAD Software, Rapid Prototyper, Prototype Machinist, Prototype Engineer
Patent Assistance Software
PatentEase: Patent Application (Provisional)
PatentEase Deluxe: Patent Application (Utility)
Patent Ease: Patent Application (Design)
3D Rendering Software
Brainstorming Software
Books: Patent Assistance, Getting Investors, Selling or Licensing Your Ideas
Any book I suggest below is a book I have either read at least twice or a book I have read and used as reference. It would be very hard to order these books by importance because I’ve already narrowed them down to this little list from the 60-70 that I have sitting on my shelves. I think, if you’re serious about getting serious, you should get them all. I will say that if you can only afford one, get the first one… One Simple Idea.
One Simple Idea: Turn Your Dreams into a Licensing Goldmine While Letting Others Do the Work
This book will blow your doors off. Seriously. If you can only afford one patent assistance book, make it this one.
Some people just don’t want to bother with a patent, I never have personally gotten a patent but my brother has. I’ve done an Abby version of some of the ideas in this book and have loved the freedom.
With everything that’s included in this book, I believe Stephen Key should charge an arm and a leg but he doesn’t. It’s under $15 at Amazon.
Here’s what you won’t have to worry about
no patents forms or fees
no prototypes or drawings
no risk at all
Now that I’ve just relieved you of having to spend a ton… here’s what this book will help: will teach you how to protect your idea for zip, zero, zilch and how to make excellent money. You’ll be able to have your product go to market without spending one red cent. You read it right. Not one. If you have only a small amount of money you can invest into your idea, you need this book. In addition, the book is an awesome read. It’s motivating and brilliant and will have you dream even bigger dreams for yourself.
Patent Searching Made Easy
This is the best patent assistance book for available for helping inventors with their patent search. It’s a NOLO Press book and a lifesaver to anyone who ever searches the USPTO. In fact, if anyone has ever attempted to do a USPTO search without this book, once they get it, they’ll just shake their heads in disbelief at all the time they wasted doing things wrong. But it’s more than just a search tool.
This book trains the inventor on not just how to search, but what to search and how to drill down to the nitty-gritty important stuff that will save you time and money, especially if your idea is found not to be original BEFORE you file an application or hire a professional.
From Patent To Profit
This is such a great patent assistance book for inventors. It’s easy to understand and the strategies are just as easy to implement. Plus, it’s extremely detailed into baby steps but in no way boring.
The reader will gain such broad knowledge regarding ideas, inventions, patents, and licensing that he or she will immediately have a clear understanding on the process.
Raising Venture Capital for the Serious Entrepreneur
This is one of my favorite patent assistance as well as small business funding books ever. All the books on this page are my favorites but this is one (and the Stephen Key book) that I love-love. This book helps the novice seek and get funding as well as the expert. In fact, I’d challenge you to NOT put some of these well thought of and easy to comprehend ideas into play as you read the book. If you want to know everything an investor wants to see every single time you visit one, this book is an absolute MUST HAVE. This book is for the entrepreneur so anything goes from inventors to start up businesses.
Angel Financing for Entrepreneurs: Early-Stage Funding for Long-Term Success
The sub-title says it all with this book. Getting funding in the early stages of an invention used to be unheard of, however anyone who reads this book will be able to “work around” most little issues and get funding right away. The thing I liked most about Angel Financing For Entrepreneurs is the 10 minute PowerPoint presentation a person can create before they visit potential angels. Now here’s the interesting thing, and one of the things I DIDN’T know… several Angel Investor Groups use this book and have openly said they wished everyone who approached them would read this book first.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Cashing In On Your Inventions
Richard Levy writes in a shewed and humorous way and is basically… brilliant. This book even goes into prototypes and creating renderings. Best yet, Richard Levy isn’t offering up lip service. I admire that a lot. He has been in the trenches, when he first started putting his ideas into action, and come out bruised but ahead of the pack. He gives more “secrets” out in his patent assistance books than any other author I know of writing on the subject of ideas. You WILL comprehend this book, I promise. Even some of the little ideas are like giving the reader full access to a cash machine at will.
Profit From Your Idea: How to Make Smart Licensing Deals
This is another NOLO Press book and is about licensing your invention in the most protected way possible. It goes over everything as far as licensing is concerned. This is a real benefit because so many people don’t have attorneys or don’t want to pay an attorney to do all the things that MUST be done before a person unknowingly gives up his or her intellectual property rights. Not only does this patent assistance book clearly define how to protect yourself, it also covers all the agreements and forms you’ll be using, where to find people to license your product to, and most important is how to negotiate the most favorable deal for both the inventor and the licensee.
Patent It Yourself: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Filing at the U.S. Patent Office
This book is for you if you want to save money on getting a patent and can’t afford other forms of patent assistance. Whether you use it to patent your idea yourself or alongside of hiring an attorney, you can save yourself a lot of time and money plus make sure your patent application is written correctly if you read this book. I suggest the Inventors Notebook as well which is a companion to this book. Patent It Yourself not only gives you extraordinary patent assistance, it shows you how to fill out the forms which is crucial. Of course, I don’t suggest anyone write their own claims, I always suggest having an attorney do it, however if you want to try your hand at it, it gives instructions for that as well. In addition to patent assistance, this book will help you evaluate your idea to determine if it’s got commercial potential before you lay down the money for it. Again, anyone that’s been to my site knows I feel everyone should use a patent attorney or a patent agent for the final application. However, by reading this book, you’ll make your patent stronger and you’ll understand the process better which will save you money in attorney fees!
Get Patent Assistance or Advice From Inventor Groups
Check your local area, either in the phone book or online for local inventor groups and meet ups. These groups, meetings, and people can be a real asset to your Rolodex. These groups are such a resource because members can recommend who to use and who not to use for things like, patent attorney, patent agent, engineers for prototyping, artists, marketing companies, and investors.
Suggested Search Phrases: Invention Clubs Orlando, Inventor Meet-up Philadelphia, Invention Group Sacramento
Financial Patent Assistance From Invention Investors
More than patent assistance. It’s financial assistance when you need it most. Once people realize all the things they can do with their non-patented ideas or patented ideas, a brand new world of opportunity opens up to them. Investors can help you get your idea off the ground and into the marketplace. I won’t go into the different things investors can help you with here, but there are several pages of this site that offer more information on the types of and how to get in touch with invention investors.
Suggested Search Phrases: Angel Investors, Small Business Investors
Invention Ideas For Kids
I talk about the following 2 books on Invention Ideas For Kids.
The Kids Invention Book
Kids Inventing! A Handbook for Young Inventors
