Recent Posts

1

Patent Questions and Advice / Re: advice and possible assistance

« Last post by Brad on August 08, 2026, 08:29:51 PM »

Hi and welcome,

A paralegal is not allowed to write and file patents.  Only a registered attorney or agent can do that type of work.  You can search for registered attorney and agents here:
https://oedci.uspto.gov/OEDCI/practitionerSearchEntry

Generally anyone who's on that list is going to be trustworthy and is somewhat vetted by the US Patent Office plus they have to take a very difficult exam called the patent bar exam if for some reason they stole your idea they would lose their license and potentially lose their license to practice law so not be worth it for them you could also ask them to sign a non-disclosure agreement before disclosing your idea to them.

2

Patent Questions and Advice / advice and possible assistance

« Last post by glamont on August 08, 2026, 01:15:49 PM »

Good morning,
I have an idea and thought I could simply look at a current patent and fill in the blanks to apply for a patent; However, it's not as easy to make sure I fill it in correctly as it looks.  I was thinking a provisional patent to start with and then move on to the full Utility patent.  I see websites that offer inexpensive assistance, but I've also read that some of those websites might take my idea and run with it before I get started.  I was thinking that a paralegal to help me get the provisional patent done might be the best alternative, and think about the next step.  Anyone have advice how to get going and who I can trust?
Thanks.

3

Patent Questions and Advice / Re: Should my PPA be implemented as the simplest or most-featured system ?

« Last post by Brad on January 07, 2024, 11:35:21 AM »

The good news is that the provisional patent application should focus on the technical information.  The main job of the provisional is to serve as proper "support" for later filed applications so it is important you have good technical information included.

In order to answer your question, you need to first determine what is the most innovative and important components for your system.   Then pretend you had a patent that covered those components and their arrangement and see how someone else could try to get around your patent by changing the design.   Make sure your figures and text that you include in the PPA do a good job of showing your primary system plus the next best alternative.   

No need to waste time on explaining common features that are well known. 

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Patent Questions and Advice / Should my PPA be implemented as the simplest or most-featured system ?

« Last post by HwEngineer on January 06, 2024, 12:11:05 PM »

Thank you Brad for the fast quick and educational response. My original question was truncated but you answered my question fully anyway. Here is the full text in case anyone is interested.
This is the first provisional patent application (PPA) I've attempted. With an engineering background, I tend to approach tasks from the technical side, so please forgive my lack of basic patent skills. I

5

Invention Prototyping and Development / Re: A new kind of wind power generator

« Last post by RevI on December 05, 2023, 10:00:04 PM »

You can sell or license a pending patent application after it has been filed.  Good luck.

Thanks for your reply. And, regarding the first part, can you tell me how close the real prototype would perform in comparison to the simulation. Even half will be enough. And, is there anyone here who can help me to license or sell this technology to any prospective investor.

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Invention Prototyping and Development / Re: A new kind of wind power generator

« Last post by Brad on December 03, 2023, 02:04:59 PM »

You can sell or license a pending patent application after it has been filed.  Good luck.

7

Invention Prototyping and Development / A new kind of wind power generator

« Last post by RevI on December 02, 2023, 08:01:24 AM »

I am an Indian inventor. For a long time, I am continuing personal research about a new kind of wind power generation system. Recently, while searching net, I have found out that the necessary machinery is already available in market. In short, the machine now can be built easily.
At present, I have completed the CAD drawing and done some ANSYS simulation testing. As per the latest simulation where the RPM was set of 3600, the torque was found to be around 1.52 for a machine of 35 cm diameter and the input wind velocity was set to be 6 m/s. For me, this is promising result and I can say that no wind turbine in anywhere around the world of that little diameter can generate such torque at this RPM.
I now want to further develop this invention by making a real prototype. And, I want to know, how close the real prototype can perform in comparison to the simulation. And, I have already applied for a patent, kindly tell me whether I can approach any possible investor or buyer to sell/license the technology or not.

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Patent Questions and Advice / Re: query about

« Last post by Brad on November 01, 2023, 08:46:35 AM »

Based on your example I would file it as one application.  Normally things like choice of material or manufacturing process are not that important when you are trying to claim a new device like a pencil case.   

9

Patent Questions and Advice / query about

« Last post by Deemak on November 01, 2023, 05:44:57 AM »

Hi everyone. I was after some guidance around this: if my invention has 2 designs- each with the same purpose, but each with slight variation in functionality and both with different manufacturing processes ( as version 1 is made of plastic, the 2nd is made of metal), does this need to be submitted as 2 different provisional patent applications or can it be done under 1 with an explanation of both versions of the product?

eg) if i have invented 2 designs of pencil cases that holds 5 pencils ,case a + case b:

case a) is made of plastic with plastic clips to grip the pencils
vs
case b) is made of metal and has elastic straps for the pencils to be inserted

In this case do 2 separate PPA's need to be filed for each design, or can it all be done under 1?

Any advice on this would be much appreciated.

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Patent Questions and Advice / Re: updating PPAs (provisional patent applications)

« Last post by Brad on May 30, 2023, 08:49:08 AM »

You cannot add new material to any patent application after it has been filed so you cannot update it.  You should file a new application.  We sometimes have 2-5 PPAs that we later merge together into a full non-provisional utility application. 

If you did not pay the fee you will get a letter from the patent office telling you how to make payment.  However, in this case it would be safest and easiest for you to file your application again as a new PPA and make sure you pay the fee online this new version.