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Patent Tutorials

We'll cover all the stages of getting a patent here in our Patent Tutorials. They're organized by section for your convenience in the list below:

Section I - Patent Basics

Why is it important to understand what is patentable? You don't want to just rush off and file a patent application on your invention if it stands no chance of gaining a patent. You will waste time and quite a sum of money doing that. So the following section will provide you with an explanation on the basics of patentability.

Section II - Patentability

In this next section, we will learn a little about the basic patent process. For instance, who may see your application once it is sent in? What if you want patent protection in foreign countries? What are the fees you might need to pay to get your patent? And what is the best way to send in your application and all the other forms you need to deliver to the PTO? Whew. Let's dig in.

Section III - Patent Details

There are many different U.S. patent application types. Each should be used for different circumstances. The trick is to learn when to use what. Here we will discuss the two parent application types, the nonprovisional and the provisional. We refer to these as parent applications because they are filed first, without a preceding application. Subsequent or offspring applications are those that are filed after the parent application, but we'll talk more about all this later.

For now, just realize that the two types of parent applications can be compared to a "regular" and a "lite" version. The "regular" version is called a nonprovisional application and the "lite" version is the provisional. Provisionals contain less material, are easier to file and are definitely less expensive. They don't have all the features of a regular, nonprovisional application.

Section IV - Patent Application Types

Section V - Application Parts

This next section covers what happens after the application has been filed. You need to know what the examiner might do and what your responsibilities are.

Section VI - Patent Prosecution Details

Please keep in mind that there are several important factors to look into before you begin patenting. Reading these tutorials will help solve many of the problems you are likely to run into. You should now have a solid understanding of how the patent process works and the basics of your application.