Patent Invention Ideas: Is Getting A Patent the Best Option?

The most prominent question that dwells in the mind of a creator is - Is patent the best way to protect an idea or invention? The patent is a great way to get a monopoly over your creation. Nobody can use your invention without your permission, and more importantly, you get a lot of profit just by getting your dream a patent.

To know if filing a patent is the best way or not to protect an idea, let's first talk about the difficulties that one has to face while filing a patent application.

• On average, it will take about 47 months to get any patent approved. It means that you will have to wait for at least 47 weeks from the day you submit your application to get a patent. It is undoubtedly a time-consuming process. Unless you are entirely sure that your invention is worthy of getting a patent, do not jump into this time-consuming process. 
• Patents are subjected to the territory. It means that if you want to get a patent for your invention in some other country, you will have to file a different patent application there. 
• You need to pay statutory fees at the patent office in every country you want to apply for a patent. Moreover, you also have to pay your patent consultant's payments, who is an expert in filing patents. People generally hire patent officers from patent service providers like Patent Services USA. 
• You will also have to do massive research from your end to ensure that your invention is unique and worthy of getting a patent. If someone has already made a similar invention, you will not get a patent in that case. 

Despite all these hassles, people, companies do go through the troublesome process of getting a patent. The reason being if an invention is powerful and commercial, people do earn a lot of profit after getting a patent. Yet, it doesn't make patents the best way to protect an idea or invention.

 If you want to obtain patent invention ideas, you must ask yourself the following questions:

How Easily Can Your Idea Be Reverse Engineered? 

In some cases, reverse engineering ideas are challenging. If your invention is such that reverse engineering is not possible easily, we recommend you go for trade secrets rather than get a patent. By trade secret, you can gain profits until someone else reverse engineers your idea or invention. 

Avoid going through the lengthy and time-consuming process of getting a patent in such cases. Moreover, patents have enough information that your rivals can easily upgrade your invention in no time. Some companies use both trade secrets and patents to protect their ideas and innovations. 

Can Someone Else Quickly Work Around Your Invention And Gain An Advantage Of That? 

The main reason why people get a patent for their idea or invention is so that nobody can use your unique vision and gain undue advantage. However, in some cases where imagination can be modified quickly, people upgrade it and work to attain profits. 

In such cases, no matter how well-drafted or good your patent is, you can't do anything. Your time and money will all go to waste in such cases. Therefore, patenting is not always the best way to go. 

Hire the right patent service provider to apply for a patent, for example, Patent Services USA. Discuss with an experienced patent attorney how to patent an idea or product perfectly and the possible loopholes.

 If you want, you can also take defensive publication as another option. The defensive publication will ensure that your rivals do not get a patent for a similar kind of innovation or technology. 

Do You Think Your Invention Is Attractive? 

It is a tricky question. In case your answer is a no, you should think again about going through the pain of getting a patent. Ideas or inventions are patented to protect others from copying your unique vision. If you feel that your creation will not attract people, why are you even getting a patent? 

Moreover, if your idea is not very attractive, it is more likely that you will not gain much after you get a patent. It might happen that the cost of getting a patent would be more than the profit you will make out of it. However, if you think that people would want to copy your idea, you should get a patent. 

For How Much Time Will Your Invention Or Idea Be Relevant To That Particular Industry? 

If you are dealing in an industry wherein, your invention will become obsolete in a short time, don't go through the patenting process. It will take months before your patent gets approved till then there is a possibility that you will not get sufficient demand for your invention. So, think all about all the factors before applying for a patent, including your invention's relatability, the profit that you will make out of it, the average time needed to copy your idea, etc. 

In case you are sure that your idea will be in demand even after a considerable time of getting a patent, then go ahead and apply. You should also consider the approximate amount of profit you will make out of it. If you think your invention can get you more money, then definitely get a patent. To get a secured patent, always invest in an experienced and professional patent service provider. 

Final Verdict

In a nutshell, everything comes down to your decision because it is your idea. Before filing a patent, make sure you think about every aspect carefully. You can even talk to a patent service provider and get all your questions answered. Once you are sure of everything, you can file a patent.