Can I apply for a patent myself without the assistance of an attorney?
ANSWER
Yes you can, and if you do, generally speaking, the patent examiner will try to help you as best he can. Why? Because unless you’re a patent attorney yourself, preparing, filing and prosecuting a patent application yourself is like performing brain surgery on yourself. The patent examiner knows that, may have pity on you and so try to help you avoid what it probably the inevitable: you make mistakes that jeopardize the value of any patent you obtain as well as all the efforts you undertake to market your invention. Others say that no matter how little money you have, you cannot afford to do it yourself, given the damage you can do to your rights. If you can afford to use a patent attorney, do do so. If you can’t, you probably should consider not filing the application (and saving your money and efforts), or finding an investor that can help you get the professional services you need.
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Dr Patentsteins' Tips
When you think you might have an invention with sales potential, immediately discuss the idea with a registered patent practitioner | Ensure you sketch all significant elements of your invention on paper, writing as much detail and comments regarding its' operation | After creating any descriptions or sketching your invention, ensure a witness (or even two) sign the paper to support your claim |
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