Advertising Information

Is there anything new under the sun? Heres how to find out if your bright idea is unique.


Home | Site Map | 101InfoLinks.com | Best Book Shop | Sports Fans ONLY
     .
© 2007

 "There's nothing new under the sun" is probably the one phrase no inventor wants to hear, seldom believes, and is always trying to prove wrong.


 However, moving too quickly to prototype stage and first disclosure can turn out to be costly for the inventor who doesn't take the time to find out if his or her invention is already patented.


 Yet, with over 3000 utility patents being issued each week in the United States, that can seem like a daunting if not downright impossible task.


 So, what can the inventor do to get the information - and assurance - he needs to proceed with his work?


 The first thing to do is conduct a preliminary search of patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Public Patent Search Room, which contains U.S. patents arranged according to the U.S. Patent Classification System of over 460 classes and over 136,000 subclasses. The Patent Search Room, located in Arlington, Virginia, is open to the public from 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Friday, except on federal holidays.


 If you don't live near Arlington, you don't need to make travel reservations. Instead, you can access the searchable database containing patent information for all U.S. patents granted since 1976 and all patent application publications (first published in March 2001), on the USPTO web site at http://www.uspto.gov/go/pats.


 Inventors can also perform a  preliminary search of patents at one of the Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs) established throughout the United States. These libraries have copies of patents in microfilm and/or optical disc format arranged in numerical order. They have classification search tools, automated search aids, and photocopy facilities available to the public. For information on your nearest PTDL, you may visit the PTDL web site at http://www.uspto.gov/go/ptdl.


 Another option is to use specialized software like Patent Hunter?, a program which is designed to simplify the search process and to allow you to conduct a more complete search. For information about Patent Hunter, go to www.patenthunter.com.


 You can also have a patent attorney or agent conduct a complete search for you. If you do not yet know a patent attorney or agent and would like to retain one, there are several ways to do so.


 If you are a member of an inventors' organization, networking with other inventors to learn which attorneys in your area get rave reviews can be one of the easiest and most effective ways to find good counsel. And, if you don't find using the Yellow Pages appealing, you might also want to contact your state the law association for a list of attorneys practicing IP law. Finally, if you choose to conduct an internet search, you will want to check out the USPTO listing of registered patent attorneys aand agents by going to http://www.uspto.gov/do/oed,.


 Whatever method you use to verify that your invention is unique and hasn't been patented, acting early in the invention process can save you significant time and money. Or, if you discover someone already holds the patent, reviewing their design may inspire your creativity and lead you to add some "bells and whistles" that takes the idea to the "next level" and allows you to secure a patent on a superior product.


© 2004. All rights reserved. Impact Coaching International? You may copy or distribute this article free of charge as long as it is kept intact and sent in its entirety including copyright notice and full information about contacting the author, Rosemary Hauschild.

Rosemary Hauschild is a business coach serving creative individuals developing intellectual property. Impact Coaching International? offers a year-long program showing creative individuals how to protect, promote and profit from their innovative ideas in less time and with more profits. This coaching program is delivered through quarterly workshops, teleconference calls, web casts, fax and email. Individual coaching services are also available. To learn more about how to protect and promote your intellectual property, you are invited to subscribe to the free e-zine, Creations Of The Mind?, by sending an email to impactcoaching@msn.com with the following phrase in the subject line of your e-mail: subscribe creations list.


MORE RESOURCES:

Los Angeles Times

FCC's plan for broadband Internet access falls short
Washington Post
The government has a big plan for broadband -- big enough that you'll want a broadband connection to download its full text. ...
FCC Plans National Access To Broadband InternetRed, White, and Blue Press (blog)
How fast is your broadband? Even the feds can't be sureLos Angeles Times
Plan Aims to Expand Broadband Across USVoice of America
Payson Roundup -Watching the Watchers.org (blog) -Atlantic Online
all 144 news articles »


The Grand Rapids Press - MLive.com

Hoping to Attract Google? Go Jump in the Lake
New York Times
The mayor of Duluth, Minn., threw himself into the ice-ringed waters of Lake Superior. The mayor of Sarasota, Fla., immersed himself in a ...
From the news deskHometownlife.com
City tries for Google trialPalladium-Item
telephone stunt for Google FiberDaily Journal of Commerce

all 43 news articles »


Kansas City Star

FCC plan would greatly expand broadband Internet connections
Washington Post
The Federal Communications Commission announced on Monday its long-awaited plan to bring broadband Internet connections to every home and ...
Local officials praise broadband Internet proposalDaily American Online
A new right for Americans: universal broadband InternetExaminer.com
US plan for broadband Internet releasedWikinews
Ozarks First -AllGov -NewsHour
all 2,364 news articles »


Los Angeles Times

FCC Wrestles Private Interests for the Public Good
PC World
The FCC has been a focus of intense scrutiny for a year now--pursuing bold initiatives and laying out grand plans for the future of ...
The Future of American BroadbandTom's Guide
FCC and Future Of American Broadband CoverageSeven Sided Cube
TechMan: FCC ignores its own study in plan for Internet futurePittsburgh Post Gazette
TechCrunch (blog) -Fort Wayne Journal Gazette -Park Rapids Enterprise
all 51 news articles »


Prince William seeks to be lab for Google's speedy Internet
Washington Post
Prince William County will vie for a spot in a nationwide trial that Google plans to launch of "ultra high-speed" broadband Internet, ...

and more »


Russia's Broadband Internet Use Rising, Even Afar -Vedomosti
FOXBusiness
Broadband Internet use in Russia is spreading beyond major cities to the vast regions, according to a new study, business daily Vedomosti reports Thursday. ...

and more »


Everything Long Beach (press release)

City Vies for Trial of Google's Broadband Internet
Santa Monica Mirror
The City of Santa Monica is preparing an application to participate in a trial of ultra-high speed broadband networks offered by Google. ...
Google pushes broadband, Gainesville in the runningIndependent Florida Alligator
EDITORIAL: A chance at advancementPlattsburgh Press Republican
Luján backs Farmington's Google proposalThe New Mexico Independent
Journal of the San Jaun Islands -O'Reilly Radar (blog) -Tech Eye
all 113 news articles »


Reuters

Broadband Internet service narrows the gap between urban and rural areas
Kansas City Star
The Federal Communications Commission estimates that 96 percent of Americans at least have the option to subscribe to broadband Internet service. ...
FCC wants 90% of US with broadband InternetTuscaloosa News (subscription) (blog)
FCC broadband plan: It must spur competitionChristian Science Monitor
FCC Pushes For Universally Accessible Nationwide WirelessHot Hardware
AOL News -Radio Survivor (blog) -TechSpot
all 205 news articles »


New Funding Will Expand Broadband Internet Service In Jackson...
KEYC
Good evening, I'm Dion Cheney.And I'm Nicole Winters.Thanks for joining us.The stimulus bill passed last year is still creating projects throughout the ...

and more »


OFC/NFOEC 2010 to feature research breakthroughs on the future of broadband ...
Eureka! Science News
Much of the research being presented in 2010 covers what's in store for the future of broadband Internet. Some of the highlights, outlined below, include:

and more »

Google News


Google
 

Home | Site Map | 101InfoLinks.com | Best Book Shop | Sports Fans ONLY
     .
© 2007