Research Guides
The subject matter of the invention must be useful. It must have utility, including "operativeness." In other words, a machine that will not operate to perform the intended purpose would not be called, useful, and therefore would not be granted a patent.
Novelty: the invention must be new or an improvement.
Non-obvious: the difference between "existing art" and the invention is significant enough to warrant a patent.
Patent basics from the USPTO.
Complete description of the invention is required.
The inventor(s) must be listed. A company, organization, institution, etc. is not the "inventor."
Mere ideas or suggestions are not patentable.
All formal elements of the application must be in good order.
Fees.
Publication of the issued patent, and, in some cases, publication of the patent application.
Patent Process Overview (USPTO)
USPTO Definition:
'The right conferred by the patent grant is, in the language of the statute and of the grant itself, "the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling" the invention in the United States or "importing" the invention into the United States. What is granted is not the right to make, use, offer for sale, sell or import, but the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, selling or importing the invention. Once a patent is issued, the patentee must enforce the patent without aid of the USPTO."
The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office is the branch of the federal government that receives and examines patent applications and issues patents.
Only the USPTO can grant patents in the United States. US patents are effective only within the United States and its territories and possessions.
An issued patent grants ownership of the patented invention to the applicant.
Inventors may assign ownership of the invention/patent to another entity. This entity, organization, institution, company, corporation, etc. is known as the assignee.
Main Patent Portal @ USPTO
Patent Essentials (USPTO)
Laws, regulations, policies, procedures, guidance & training
Track One: Prioritized Patent Examination Program
International Patent Cooperation
Pro Bono Program: nationwide legal services program
USPTO definition:
"new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or compositions of matters, or any new useful improvement thereof"
General & Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical
US 4,787,847 (Sonicare®)
Guide to Filing a Utility Patent (Non-provisional)
Business Methods - Business method patents
USPTO definition:
"a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture"
US D384,364
USPTO definition:
"granted to anyone who invents or discovers and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plants"
General Information About 35 U.S.C. 161 Plant Patents (Guide to Filing a Plant Patent)