Q-2. Does the inventor have to go to Washington
to apply for a patent?
A-2. No. To start patent proceedings, the inventor
need only send a disclosure of his invention in the form of a model or
sketch and description to Patent Agent, Richard L. Miller. All correspondence
and communications pertaining to an application for patent can be conducted
through the mail, by fax and/or by telephone directly with your personal
Patent Agent, Richard L. Miller, P.E.
Q-3. Does the inventor have to wait until he obtains
his patent in order to sell or produce his invention commercially?
A-3. No. Many times inventions are commercialized
while they are patent pending the advisability of this matter should be
discussed with your personal Patent Agent, Richard L .Miller, P.E.
Q-4. What do the terms: "Patent Applied For" and
"Patent Pending" mean?
A-4. These terms are commonly used by inventors
and manufacturers to serve notice that an application for patent is pending
in the U.S. Patent Office and when the patent issues, infringers may be
sued for damages. They have no actual legal force but have a practical
effect in warning possible imitators that they may be held liable for infringement
in the event a patent is granted.
Q-5. What happens if the inventor makes changes
in the invention after obtaining his patent?
A-5. If an inventor has made an improvement in
the invention after he/she has obtained a patent, a new application for
patent must be filed in the Patent Office provided the improvement is patentable
over the original invention. The inventor should not hesitate to make changes
that improve his invention. He should inform his personal Patent Agent,
Richard L. Miller as soon as he has perfected an improvement so that an
additional patent application may be prepared and filed, if advisable.
Q-6. Can someone make my invention for his own use?
A-6. No. No one has the right to make a device
claimed in an unexpired patent without the permission of the patentee,
even though the maker wishes to construct the machine solely for his private
use, and not for sale.
Q-7. Does the U.S. Patent protect the invention
in foreign countries?
A-7. No. U.S. patents protect the invention only
within the United States and its territories. In order to protect an invention
in foreign countries, a separate patent application must be filed in each
foreign country in which the inventor wishes to protect his invention.
Information about foreign patents and the advisability of filing is available
from your personal Patent Agent, Richard L. Miller when processing your
case.
Q-8. Do you want to protect your invention in several
countries?
A-8. If yes, you should consider the advantages
that are offered by filing an "international" patent application under
the Patent Cooperation Treaty (the "PCT"). By filing one International
Patent Application, you can simultaneously seek protection for an invention
in each of a large number of countries.
Copyright © 1998-2008 Richard L. Miller, P.E.. All rights reserved.