Advertising Information
Google
 

Is there anything new under the sun? Heres how to find out if your bright idea is unique.


 "There's nothing new under the sun" is probably the one phrase no inventor wants to hear, seldom believes, and is always trying to prove wrong.


 However, moving too quickly to prototype stage and first disclosure can turn out to be costly for the inventor who doesn't take the time to find out if his or her invention is already patented.


 Yet, with over 3000 utility patents being issued each week in the United States, that can seem like a daunting if not downright impossible task.


 So, what can the inventor do to get the information - and assurance - he needs to proceed with his work?


 The first thing to do is conduct a preliminary search of patents at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Public Patent Search Room, which contains U.S. patents arranged according to the U.S. Patent Classification System of over 460 classes and over 136,000 subclasses. The Patent Search Room, located in Arlington, Virginia, is open to the public from 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday to Friday, except on federal holidays.


 If you don't live near Arlington, you don't need to make travel reservations. Instead, you can access the searchable database containing patent information for all U.S. patents granted since 1976 and all patent application publications (first published in March 2001), on the USPTO web site at http://www.uspto.gov/go/pats.


 Inventors can also perform a  preliminary search of patents at one of the Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries (PTDLs) established throughout the United States. These libraries have copies of patents in microfilm and/or optical disc format arranged in numerical order. They have classification search tools, automated search aids, and photocopy facilities available to the public. For information on your nearest PTDL, you may visit the PTDL web site at http://www.uspto.gov/go/ptdl.


 Another option is to use specialized software like Patent Hunter?, a program which is designed to simplify the search process and to allow you to conduct a more complete search. For information about Patent Hunter, go to www.patenthunter.com.


 You can also have a patent attorney or agent conduct a complete search for you. If you do not yet know a patent attorney or agent and would like to retain one, there are several ways to do so.


 If you are a member of an inventors' organization, networking with other inventors to learn which attorneys in your area get rave reviews can be one of the easiest and most effective ways to find good counsel. And, if you don't find using the Yellow Pages appealing, you might also want to contact your state the law association for a list of attorneys practicing IP law. Finally, if you choose to conduct an internet search, you will want to check out the USPTO listing of registered patent attorneys aand agents by going to http://www.uspto.gov/do/oed,.


 Whatever method you use to verify that your invention is unique and hasn't been patented, acting early in the invention process can save you significant time and money. Or, if you discover someone already holds the patent, reviewing their design may inspire your creativity and lead you to add some "bells and whistles" that takes the idea to the "next level" and allows you to secure a patent on a superior product.


© 2004. All rights reserved. Impact Coaching International? You may copy or distribute this article free of charge as long as it is kept intact and sent in its entirety including copyright notice and full information about contacting the author, Rosemary Hauschild.

Rosemary Hauschild is a business coach serving creative individuals developing intellectual property. Impact Coaching International? offers a year-long program showing creative individuals how to protect, promote and profit from their innovative ideas in less time and with more profits. This coaching program is delivered through quarterly workshops, teleconference calls, web casts, fax and email. Individual coaching services are also available. To learn more about how to protect and promote your intellectual property, you are invited to subscribe to the free e-zine, Creations Of The Mind?, by sending an email to impactcoaching@msn.com with the following phrase in the subject line of your e-mail: subscribe creations list.


MORE RESOURCES:

The Money Times

How much are those front-page Times ads?
Reuters - 13 hours ago
(Slate) (Photo: “Spiderman” Alain Robert got free front-page advertising on the New York Times. Not in the paper but on the building. ...
Video: Money Minute: Times Ads, Hyundai, Construction AssociatedPress
New York Times now offers front-page advertising MarketWatch
NY Times debuts front-page ad; new revenue source The Associated Press
Adweek - Western Standard- Shotgun Blog
all 358 news articles


Los Angeles Business Journal

U.S. court upholds L.A. ban on billboards
Los Angeles Times, CA - 6 hours ago
The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the city's 2002 outdoor advertising ban does not violate a sign company's 1st Amendment right to free speech, ...
Rare Victory: Sign Company Slapped Down By Court Curbed
Appeals court upholds LA's billboard ban San Jose Mercury News
Appeals court upholds L.A.'s 2002 billboard ban Los Angeles Times
all 25 news articles


Recession raises stakes for Super Bowl advertising
guardian.co.uk, UK - 9 hours ago
"The Super Bowl remains this incredibly unique advertising opportunity because you get all this focus and all this attention and all the PR buzz around it," ...
Kellogg School of Management Faculty Available to Discuss Super ... PR Newswire (press release)
Super Bowl Marketers Must Gauge Sensitivity Mediapost.com
all 15 news articles


BeliefNetworks, Inc. Launches AffinityAgent Advertising ...
MSNBC - 12 hours ago
Utilizing this technology, BeliefNetworks is able to help a variety of customers in the advertising and publishing world develop relevant ad concepts and ...


Sydney Morning Herald

Atheist advertising bid launched
The Press Association - 13 hours ago
An atheist advertising campaign on buses in Scotland has been launched with the slogan: "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life. ...
London Journal Atheists Decide to Send Their Own Message, on 800 Buses New York Times
Atheist bus campaign spreads the word of no God nationwide guardian.co.uk
Britain's Buses Declare 'There's Probably No God' MyFox Nepa
Monsters and Critics.com - Utalkmarketing
all 102 news articles


Dallas Pushes for More Video Board Advertising
MSNBC - 12 hours ago
The city council is looking to add more video advertising boards and told city staff that the five currently planned for Main Street are not enough. ...


Report: Rough Year For Branded Advertising Online
MediaPost Publications, New York - 10 hours ago
This year is going to be a rough one for brand advertising, according to a new report from JP Morgan Chase. The economic downturn has created a climate in ...
JP Morgan: Performance Marketing Steady as Brands Recoil in '09 ClickZ News
'Net Will See Nothing But Flat CPMs, Analyst Also Says Ad Model ... Mediapost.com
JP Morgan: '09 to Be Rocky for Web and Brand Ads Adweek
Washington Post
all 14 news articles


Reuters

IAC's Diller Sees Cost-Per-Click Ad Revenue Down 5%-7%
CNNMoney.com - 7 hours ago
(IACI), said Tuesday he thinks cost-per-click advertising revenue for his Internet media conglomerate are declining at 5% to 7% year-over-year in the midst ...
IAC still waiting on price falls for acquisitions Reuters
Is Liberty Exiting IAC/INTERACTIVE Entirely? (IACI) 24/7 Wall St.
all 11 news articles


CBS Plans to Reduce Capital Spending to $350 Million
Bloomberg - 7 hours ago
With advertising falling in radio and local TV, New York- based CBS is seeking savings and new sources of revenue, such as today’s agreement allowing Time ...
Moonves hopeful for auto ads Hollywood Reporter
CBS In Negotiations With Cablevision On Affiliate Fees CNNMoney.com
CBS Takes On Cablevision In Next Retrans Talks Broadcasting & Cable
Wall Street Journal - Adweek
all 12 news articles


Diller Bearish On ‘09 Advertising
Broadcasting & Cable, NY - 6 hours ago
CEO Barry Diller was less than optimistic when it comes to the advertising market this year, speaking at a Citigroup Media conference in Arizona Tuesday. ...

Advertising - Google News


registration of site in directories and searchenginesBlogarama - The Blog Directory

home | site map | references
advertising-s.net © 2007