contents
Preface x~
A ck n o~v led gmen ts xix
I
Choose the Right Protection
What Is Meant by the Term "Intellectual Property"? 1
What Are Copyrights, Trademarks, Trade Secrets, and Patents? 2
How Have These Forms of Intellectual Property Protection
Evolved in the U.S.? 3
More Information about Copyrights, Trademarks, Trade Secrets,
and Patents 7
ix
X
Contents
Review 36
Annotated References 36
The Types of Patents and Patent
Applications
U.S. Patents 39
Foreign Patents
Review 71
60
Annotated References 73
]
The Invention Process
What Is the Invention Process? 75
The United States: A First to Invent Country 80
Proving Conception, Reduction to Practice, and Diligence
Review 85
Annotated References 85
4
Documenting Your Ideas
Laboratory Notebooks 87
Keeping a Laboratory Notebook 88
83
xi
Contents
The Business and Legal Reasons for Keeping a Notebook 91
Review 94
5
Researching Your Ideas
Searching the Literature 97
Conducting a Search 102
A Brief Word about Prototyping the Invention
Review 107
106
6
Protect Yourself
Avoid Statutory Bars
Review 122
109
Annotated References 123
1
Preparing the Patent Application
Representing Yourself 125
Patent Practitioners 127
Preparing for an Effective Practitioner Interview 131
The Requirements for Patentability 134
xii
Contents
Preparing the Regular Utility Patent Application
Review 149
Annotated References 150
8
Filing and Prosecuting the
Patent Application
Filing the Patent Application 153
The Information Disclosure Statement 170
Patent Pending Status 172
Accelerating the Patent Process 180
Review 184
Annotated References 185
9
Deciding to Patent
Why Are People Interested in Patenting? 187
The Cost of Patenting 188
Making Money with a Patent 190
Preventing Others from Getting a Patent 197
Review 199
Annotated References 199
139
xiii
Contents
Appendix
I
Resources 201
Appendix
11
Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries
205
Appendix
111
Tips Regarding Invention Development Firms
209
Appendix
Iv
What the Patent Practitioner Needs
21
1
Index
213
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