1. Necessity is the mother of invention. The father is unknown.
Patents Basics
Necessity is the mother of invention. The father is unknown.
Yehuda Binder

2. Intellectual Property Rights
Trademarks
Copyrights
Trade Secrets
Patents
Plant
Design
Utility

3. Patentable Subject Matter
Anything under the sun (that can be) made by man
Process, machine, product or composition of matter
NOT natural phenomenon or physical laws

4. Definition of a Patent
A patent is a grant by a government to a ‘first to file’ inventor to exclude others from making, importing, selling, offering to sell or using a single patented invention for a limited period.

5. Patentability Public disclosed (‘Prior Art’). Worldwide.
By anyone / inventor.
Prior to ‘Priority Date’.
ANY useful benefit
NEW
USEFUL
NON
OBVIOUS
Patentable
Invention
Anyone skilled in the art

6. Workshop Structure IDEA FILING GRANT MONETIZING Preparation Search
Examination

7. Workshop Structure IDEA FILING GRANT MONETIZING Preparation Search
Examination
Search
Drafting
Editing
Filing
Patent
Attorney

8. Search Step 1a Search Google for: Products with similar structure
Products with similar benefits
For each product, add:
Data sheet / brochure / manual describing the product
A paragraph referring to the product and the problems

9. Search Step 1b Search using keywords in http://www.google.com/patents:
Patents with similar structure
Patents with similar benefits
For each patent / patent application, add:
The patent number
A paragraph describing the patent and the problems

10. Public Patent Resources
ep.espacenet.com/

11. Writing Specifications Basic Guidelines
Use English, Word and PowerPoint (preferred)
B&W no colors recommended. Minimum gray levels. Recommended to avoid pictures.
More is better. Nothing can be used against you, all are examples.
Attachment of external material allowed and recommended.