Resources For Inventors

What is patentable?

Any person who invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent.  

A helpful booklet entitled General Information Concerning Patents is available on the USPTO Web site.

Basic questions about the patent process

•  Frequently Asked Questions About Patents
• "Patent Process" from lawyers.com
• National Congress of Inventor Organizations -  Inventing 101
• USPTO Inventor Resources page
• Answers to questions by inventors - USPTO Online Chat Transcripts

Promoting your invention

• Iowa Inventors Group
• Iowa Small Business Development Centers
• Iowa Department of Economic Development, Business programs and services
• InventHelp 

Promotion firm precautions

• Invention Promotion Firms
• Brief Introduction to Invention Scam Co. 

Patent Application Information

• Guide to Filing a Utility Patent Application

• Guide to Filing a Design Patent Application

• General Information about Plant Patents