Information to be supplied in a patent application

Describe the invention completely, using the following outline. Attach sketches, prints, photos, and any pertinent manuscript. (Detail should be sufficient to support a patent application. It is advisable to have a good patent attorney help to prepare the application.)

The log should contain sufficient information to determine the following items:

• General purpose
  Purpose and object of invention
  
  
• Background
  Prior art, identified by patent number or journal article, and how the invention overcomes specific disadvantages
  
  
• Description and operation
  Construction of invention, using reference numbers to attached illustrations. Describe one complete operational cycle. Describe any test data . Describe one complete operational cycle. Describe any test data evidencing its utility.
  
  

Important notes.

• No patent can be issued if the invention has been publicly disclosed for more than one year before the date of patent filing.
  
  
• All joint inventors must be involved in the patent application even though they may not have worked together physically or at the same time, did not make the same type or amount of contribution, or did not not participate in work related to certain claims in the application.
  
  
• If you are filing for a patent as an individual (or group of individuals), keep in mind that you will need a good patent attorney to properly protect your interests. While the charges will vary from attorney to attorney, a fee on the order of $2,000 is not uncommon and can range up to $4,000 to $8,000 in more complex applications.
  
  
• United States patents are not international patents. Foreign patents can be important, but they are likely to be expensive (a rule of thumb is $2,000 per country). In making the decision for a given country, consider initial cost, prosecution costs, and maintenance costs (periodic tax payments to keep the patent in force).

Investigator

Transfer Officer

Center Director