Patents and How to Get One: A Practical Handbook

This official guide, published in 2014, is organized as follows:


Functions of the United States Patent and Trademark Office

What Are Patents, Trademarks, Servicemarks, and Copyrights?

Patent Laws

What Can Be Patented

Novelty And Non-Obviousness, Conditions For Obtaining A Patent

The United States Patent and Trademark Office

General Information and Correspondence

Public Search Facility and Patent and Trademark Resource Centers

Attorneys and Agents

Who May Apply For A Patent

Independent lnventor Resources

Application For Patent

File Your Application Electronically Using EFS-Web

Oath or Declaration, Signature

Filing, Search, and Examination Fees

Specification [Description and Claims]

Drawing

Examination of Applications and Proceedings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office

Time for Reply and Abandonment

Appeal to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board and to the Courts

Allowance and Issue of Patent

Patent Term Extension and Adjustment

Nature of Patent and Patent Rights

Maintenance Fees

Correction of Patents

Assignments and Licenses

Infringement of Patents

Patent Marking and Patent Pending

Design Patents

Plant Patents

Treaties and Foreign Patents

Foreign Applicants for U.S. Patents