The United Stated Patent and Trademark Office defines a patent as "A property right granted by the Government of the United States of America to an inventor "to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling the invention throughout the United States or importing the invention into the United States" for a limited time in exchange for public disclosure of the invention when the patent is granted." These rights are granted by the US Patent and Trademark Office. The product idea or invention is first reviewed by the patent examiner after which the organization decides on whether or not the product should receive patent protection.

Intellectual property can be categorized into three parts that include patent, trademark and copyright, each with its own function. A patent protects the design as well as function of a tangible product. A trademark protects logos of organizations or products (e.g. fast food restaurants, coffee houses or fashion brands). Copyright on the other hand, protects the rights of written content like books, instruction manuals and even poetry.

A patent pending designation is used by a manufacturer or seller of an article to inform the public that an application for patent on that article is on file in the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This designation may be accomplished either through a provisional patent application filing or thought a non-provisional patent application filing. The provisional patent that allows you to file a patent without making a formal claim, declaration, oath or disclosure of your artwork. This patent establishes a conception date and provides you with protection for one year. This provisional period can be used to develop the idea, study the market and find the financial sources to continue networking and development. This time can also be used to make negotiations in business agreements. The final design or utility patent must be filed before the provisional patent expires.

We do not offer our services in invention development or marketing services. However, we do have an affiliate licensing agent available to work with you to develop a marketing strategy designed to promote and license your invention to manufacturers. The licensing affiliate work entirely on a contingency fee basis.

At Patent Services, we recommend that you take the time to examine all of your options in pursuing both patenting and licensing your new product idea. We have established a holistic approach to meeting the needs of clients seeking professional assistance throughout all of the stages of their project. As an inventor you could research, identify, and then seek out each professional service on your own that you need to properly prepare, document, protect and market your invention idea. Most inventors find that they don't have the time or resources to find, interview, negotiate with, and finally manage the work of each of the professionals required. And unfortunately inventors find themselves paying the top billing rate for each of these professionals because they're don't have any negotiating leverage as an individual inventor. Patent Services has established working relationships with the professionals you need to get your project moving. We'll serve as your project manager in getting all of their work completed. And we leverage our purchasing power to negotiate discounted professional service rates with our network of professionals to save you big money on the patent protection of your new idea.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office establishes the fee schedule for searches, filings, appeals and other actions relating to intellectual property. Due to the complexities involved in preparing these legal documents, the use of specially trained and educated professionals, such as Registered Patent Attorneys or Registered Patent Agents, is strongly recommended. Professional service fees related to researching and preparing documentation for intellectual property may vary depending upon the efforts required both to prepare and to fully prosecute the work.

Yes. Trademarks are generally used to create a unique identity for the services, products or goods through a design, phrase or symbol. A trademark is the distinguishing marker from your competitors. On the other hand, copyright protects original written works in terms of dramatic, literary and musical compositions. Copyrighted content is protected under the Copyright for the author's lifetime and an additional 70 years.

Negotiations with the manufacturers give you several options. A common approach to negotiations includes releasing the product idea to the buyer for a specific price. Through this price, the manufacturer would buy all rights to your product. Additionally, you may negotiate a royalty and earn a pre-fixed percentage from the seller on the total sales. As negotiations and license agreements involve complex legalities, they should be reviewed by a qualified attorney. The independent licensing affiliate will help you through negotiations on a contingency fee basis.