An encyclopedia of invention

How-To Walkthroughs.

Thirty step-by-step guides for common patent tasks you can do yourself, in the order you'd do them.

iInvent How-To Walkthroughs — 30 step-by-step patent and IP guides across 7 topics. All walkthroughs are free to read, cite, and use under CC-BY 4.0.

Documenting Your Invention (2 walkthroughs)

Create an Inventor's Notebook — 30 min
Draft an Invention Disclosure in Under 2 Hours — 2 hrs

Searching Prior Art (6 walkthroughs)

Check if a Patent Is Still in Force — 15 min
Find the Owner of a Patent — 20 min
Use WIPO PATENTSCOPE for International Prior Art — 45 min
Use the Lens.org Patent Database — 45 min
Search Espacenet Like a Professional — 1 hr
Check Freedom to Operate Using Free Tools — 2 hrs

Filing Patent Applications (6 walkthroughs)

Request Accelerated Examination (USPTO Track One) — 1 hr · United States
File a Continuation Application — 2 hrs
File an International Design Application (Hague System) — 2 hrs
File a Design Patent Application — 3 hrs
File a Provisional Patent Application Yourself — 4 hrs
Prepare Patent Drawings Using Free Software — 4 hrs

Filing Internationally (4 walkthroughs)

Use the PPH to Accelerate Your Patent — 1 hr
Use the Madrid System for International Trademarks — 1.5 hrs
File a Utility Model in Germany (DPMA) — 2 hrs · Germany
File a Utility Model in China (CNIPA) — 2 hrs · China

Filing Trademarks (4 walkthroughs)

Do a Trademark Clearance Search — 45 min
Register a Trademark on the USPTO Website — 1.5 hrs · United States
File a Trademark in the EU (EUIPO) — 1.5 hrs · Europe (EPO)
File a Trademark in China (CNIPA) — 2 hrs · China

Working Through Examination (3 walkthroughs)

Read a Patent Office Action — 30 min
Calculate Patent Maintenance Fees — 30 min
Request a Patent Examiner Interview — 30 min

Maintaining & Enforcing (5 walkthroughs)

Set Up Google Alerts for Your Patent — 10 min
Record a Patent Assignment with the USPTO — 30 min · United States
What to Do When Someone Breaches Your NDA — 1 hr
Prepare for a Trade Show With Proper IP Protection — 1 hr
Set Up Amazon Brand Registry for Your Invention — 1 hr