what are the costs and procedures for getting a patent?
147544
It is difficult and complicated. Many forms to fill out and research to do. Thats why many people have a firm do it for them.  First you should search the US Patent office databases for patents similar to your keyords.  (the first link below).  Maybe someone has already thought of your bright idea.  If your idea has even been detailed in a public document *ever* then, ouch! Cant do it.\n\nBut you should prolly read the USPTO 'guide' at the second link below.
1018226
Try the US Patent Office.  Perhaps the FAQ's can help a little.
368861
hire a patent attorney, to protect your rights.
1003577
I believe that if you disclose your invention to the public you must submit a patent application within one year, or lose it.  Make a fairly clear (pen & ink) sketch of the idea and ask a disinterested (non-relative) person who can understand it to sign and date the sketch to establish your priority (were you the first inventor?).  Seek the help of a pattent attorney who will have a patent search conducted to avoid infringement and will prepare the patent application in correct form including necessary diagrams and claims.  The attorney may allow you one free consultation to accept your case and should estimate typical costs.  Study the patent process yourself.  Remember that even a great invention must earn back more that the cost of the patent application to justify submittal and the patent only helps you defend it from infringers.  Best of luck!
582365
You apply for a patent at the Patent Office.
922644
The cheapest way to patent is to prepare a patent application yourself.  Filing fees will run you about $200.  But you really need to know how to prepare the application.  If you don't, your application will be rejected because the patent examiner simply won't be able to understand it.  This is why most people choose to hire patent attorneys who are skilled in writing applications and have professional draftsmen to help them with illustrations.\n\nAlso, disregard the advice from "trucker" above.  What he is describing could be useful in cases of copyright infringement, but has nothing to do with patents...
246891
patent it. go to the government service. if you go to the attorneys they will charge you around 2000-5000. you can also document and date the design, then show it to the manufacturer. they can tell you if it is marketable; but be careful. they can steal you idea/design. so document and date it well. go see an attorney that doesn't try to sell you patent service.
819351
I would start by going on-line to http://acswebcontent.acs.org/home.html\nThis is the website for the American Chemical Society. I would poke around here and find some contacts to pose your question to. I think they could help give you some direction. Also if you are interested in inventions you should pick a copy of "Patent it Yourself" by David Pressman, it tells you all the steps involved in obtaining a patent and how to protect your idea. If your interested in getting this book the ISBN # is 1-4133-0180-0   Good luck.
355917
Get a patent lawyer.  No other way to go.  Don't contact the "invention submission" groups, they only seek to use others ideas for their own profit.  If you belive your invention has profit value, get a patent lawyer and get your idea protected the right way.
512428
You can obtain a patent from the US patent office. It can take months to years, depending. You can use "patent pending" in the interim once you have actually applied.\n\nHere's where you start:\n\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/\n\nThat's the US patent office's website.\n\nHeop this helps, and good luck with your idea!\n--J.
33325
Go to the Patent Site.
1137428
Be careful about the attorneys/agencies that claim they will get your product patented/copyrighted. They usually hide in the fine print something about getting a huge percentage ( Royalty ) for  any product that is a success, and this after they get you to pay them a fee upfront to start the process. DO your own research first on how to navigate through the patent/copyright process.
145517
If you're trying to get a U.S. Patent...start by going to this web site -\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/\n\nIt's the United States Patent and Trademark Office.  They have all the info and forms you'll need.\n\nAlso, there are Patent Lawyers who will help you file your patent as well, but you will have to cough up some $$$ for that.
1000202
NOLO is a great, free informational site. Also, be sure to read what the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) has to say about patents.\n\nResearch, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:\n\n* From Patent To Profit: Secrets & Strategies For The Successful Inventor, Third Edition by Bob Dematteis\n* How to License Your Million Dollar Idea: Everything You Need To Know To Turn a Simple Idea into a Million Dollar Payday, 2nd Edition by Harvey Reese\n* The Inventor's Bible: How to Market and License Your Brilliant Ideas by Ronald Louis Docie \n* The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to Cashing in On Your Inventions by Richard Levy\n\nThere are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.\n\nHope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
786984
Normally, the first step is to conduct a patent search to see if there is anything out there that would be to close to your invention. A search helps an inventor decide whether it makes sense to move forward. A search also better helps inventors know what is out there so that when they do describe their own inventions they can do it with an eye toward particularly pointing out what makes the invention unique in view of other inventions. A search is not required, but if you are trying to start the process right it is always a wise first step. \n\nThe next step would be (or if you decide not to do a search the first step would be) to file some type of patent application. Most individual inventors find a provisional application to be best to start. This will keep your costs down, but provide you with a patent pending, which protects you in several ways. First, it locks in your filing date, which is extremely important. Although in the US we are what is called a first to invent nation, meaning the patent goes to the first to invent, procedurally there is a significant benefit to being the first to file an application. Second, there are certain time tables associated with patent law, some of which act to bar your ability to apply for a patent. These bars generally speaking prevent you from applying for a patent more than 12 months after you or others have done certain things, such as sold a product related to the invention. Because others can create a bar without your knowledge it is important to file an application as soon as reasonably possible. You will still need to file a non-provisional within 12 months, but filing a provisional application buys you time to determine whether moving forward with the expense makes sense.  Alternatively, you could just start with a non-provisional application, which is an application that will ultimately lead to an issued patent, assuming the invention is patentable.  IPWatchdog.com has a system that helps inventors write their own patent applications, which helps keep the costs down significantly.\n\nIn terms of marketing, stay away from invention submission companies. The sad but simple truth is that many inventors and entrepreneurs have had their share of difficulty with the various invention submission and idea promotion companies out there. You have probably seen them advertised on television, usually in the extremely late night or extremely early morning hours. They promise free information, and tell you that they will help you patent your idea, make your invention and/or market your product. Unfortunately many inventors and entrepreneurs have learned the hard way that these companies (such as Davison and Invent Tech) all too frequently talk big and perform little or nothing. \n\nIn terms of manufacturing, what I would suggest is getting in contact with your local Chamber of Commerce and see if there are any reputable manufacturers in your area that you can meet with.  You can describe what you need and they can help you from there.  You should consider a confidentiality agreement though.  In my experience manufacturers will usually sign one.\n\nI would also suggest that you consider trying to find an inventors group in your area. These groups are good because other inventors can tell you who to use and who to stay away from.
1054025
I used to work for the USPTO and now work for a patent law firm and I suggest you get in contact with a patent law firm to help you with the process because filing a patent application is not a easy or cheap as one may think.  If you have the firm assist you with drafting the patent app. w/ drawings, plus filing it, you are looking to spend at least $7-15,000 depending on the number of claims, illustrations etc. Since you guys are a small entity (an inidividual/a company w/ less that 500 employees) gov't. fees are cut in half. Once the patent app. is filed, it can take up to 1-2 years, in some cases, even more before the application gets examined.  Once examined, the Examiner will most likely issue a rejection based on the claims/prior art/drawings and will issue a rejection which your attorney will have to prepare an amendment to object. The amendments would generally cost in bet. $1-2,000 or even more in some cases.  I find that most patent apps. get around 3 rejections on avg. before they become allowed for patenting.  Overall, we're looking at 2-4 years, and at least $20,000 to obtain a patent. I suggest going to uspto.gov for more info.
185391
Step one would be to come up with an original idea.\n\nAfter that, it just takes money and a lot of paper work to get the patent.\nhttp://www.uspto.gov/ebc/index.html