There are many businesses in New York that provide many of the products that people use every day or parts of the products that people use every day. Selling these products is how companies make their money and it is important that they can protect their ideas from competitors. Being able to differentiate their products can ensure that customers continue to buy their product only.
One way these companies and the individuals who work for them can accomplish this is by obtaining patents for the products they develop. There is a process to do this though and there is information that companies and individuals must gather even before they submit their application for the patent.
Basic application process for patents
The first step in the process is to determine whether the product is even patentable. Then they must determine whether a product like it has been patented before or been publicly disclosed.
Once a patent search has been completed and people know that the product is patentable, they must determine which type of patent they will need. The three main types are utility patents, design patents and plant patents.
Then people need to determine what kind of application they need, fill out that application fully and file it with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. After it is submitted people will need to work with the examiner to correct any deficiencies and answer any questions the examiner may have about the application.
There are many people and businesses in New York that have a great idea which could make them money. However, in order to ensure that the idea turns into a product that can actually earn that money, they need to patent it to ensure others cannot copy it or if they do recover damages associated with copying it. The patent process can be a long and complicated process though and experienced attorneys may be able to guide one through the process.