Patents
The "Patents" section provides information on different types of patents, a guide to patenting an idea or invention, tips on licensing a patent, and more. Here you will also find links to forms and resources from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
- Patents Basics
Introductory information and tips on patents.
- Types of Patents
Explanation of the three main classes of patents: utility, design, and plant.
- Getting a Patent
Information on obtaining a patent, and tips on the patent application process.
- Enforcing Patent Rights
Rights of patent owners, and taking legal steps to protect your patent.
- Patents and Your Business
Profiting from your patent: licensing, marketing, and more.
- International Patent Law
International patent protections, and tips on filing for a patent overseas.
- Get Help Now
Hiring a patent attorney, and searching for existing patents online.
- Patent Resources
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office resources, patent laws, and more.
- 10 Tips For Inventors
- A Guide to Filing a Utility (Non-Provisional) Patent Application
- About the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
- Applying for Plant Patents
- Avoiding Patent Infringement Problems
- Design Patents
- Design Patents: Overview
- Document Your Invention: Why and How
- Elements of a Design Patent Application
- Employer Rights To Employees' Inventions
- Enforcing Patent Rights
- Filing for a Patent
- Filing for a Patent Overseas
- Filing Patent Applications
- Frequently Asked Questions About Patents
- Getting a Patent
- How to Protect Your Invention
- Idea Must Be "Useful, Novel, or Non-Obvious"
- International Patent Law
- Invention Licensing Versus Manufacturing
- Inventions Made by Employees: Legal Rights
- Is Your Invention Patentable?
- Law Regarding the Rights to Inventions Made by Employees
- Nature of Patent and Patent Rights
- Online Patent Search Overview
- Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property
- Patent Definition, and the Difference between Copyrights and Trademarks
- Patent Eligibility Requirements FAQ
- Patent Enforcement FAQ
- Patent Infringement and Litigation
- Patent Law: How do I Secure a Patent?
- Patent Profit FAQ
- Patent Resources
- Patentability Checklist
- Patents and Your Business
- Patents Basics
- Patents Glossary
- Patents: Get Help Now
- Plant Patents: Overview
- Protecting Trade Secrets
- Provisional Patent Application
- Rules for Combination Invention Patents
- Should You Obtain a Patent?
- The Basics of Patent Drawings
- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
- Types of Patents
- Uniform Trade Secrets Act Implementation
- Utility Patents: Overview
- What is a Patent?
- What is Patentable?
- What May Be Patented?