February 2006
Intermediate to advanced
272 pages
7h 7m
English
14
Because obtaining a utility patent depends on an invention being novel and nonobvious, conducting a search before applying for a patent is critical. A search of the prior art and U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) records will disclose whether the invention is sufficiently novel and non-obvious to qualify for patent protection. Once the search has been conducted, an application for the patent is filed, disclosing the method of making and using the invention. Like the trademark process, patent prosecution involves examination by the PTO and responses by the applicant to any PTO ...