Step 1: Make sure you’ve done your homework. Keep in mind that an application for a patent is fairly expensive, so you need to ensure you’ve done some market research first. How much potential does your product have on the market today? Who might be buying? Even if the interest isn’t there yet, keep in mind that it may develop around the product, so don’t walk away when you don’t see interest. Just proceed cautiously. Sure, there are risks, but they can certainly be worth it.
Step 2: Keep a record of the product development process. You’ll want that for your audit trail, which help to show the steps you took while you were engaged in product development. You’ll want to keep both a physical copy and an electronic copy to help protect yourself in the event of any kind of loss or damage.
Step 3: Computer aided design is going to be key in this step. You have to show how your product operates and what it is intended to do. You should be able to explain it when you actually create your patent application. We offer design services if you’re not familiar with the process.
Step 4: Make sure your product hasn’t already been created. You’ll need to show how it’s different from others on the market today to obtain a patent, so do some research to ensure you have something that makes it unique. Even just adding something to the design, as is often the case in reverse engineering, can help you make that happen.
Step 5: File for your patent!
Once you’ve obtained the patent, you may be ready for additional 3D printing and prototyping services, and we’ll be happy to help. Contact us to learn more.
