How to Draft an Invention Disclosure in Under 2 Hours
A structured 2-hour session that captures everything your patent attorney needs. Follow the timeline below.
Before You Start — Gather These
Inventor's notebook / development records
Sketches, CAD files, photographs
Prototype test results
Prior art search results
01
Minutes 0–15
Inventor Information & Summary
Fill in your name, contact details, employer (if any), and date of conception. Write a 2–3 sentence summary of what the invention does and what problem it solves — in plain language.
02
Minutes 15–40
Problem and Solution
Describe the specific problem in terms of what goes wrong for the user. Describe how existing solutions fail. Then describe how your invention solves the problem differently — the mechanism, structure, or process that makes it work. Be specific about what is new.
03
Minutes 40–70
Technical Details & Alternative Embodiments
List every component, material, step, or element — number them sequentially. Then list every alternative: different materials, dimensions, configurations, applications. Your attorney needs these to draft broad claims. If you describe only one version, the patent may be limited to that version.
Number ComponentsAll MaterialsAll VariationsAll Applications
04
Minutes 70–90
Prior Art & Disclosure History
List every existing patent, product, or technology you're aware of that relates to your invention. Describe how yours differs from each. Document any public disclosures — trade shows, investor pitches, social media. Include dates. Flag public disclosures as urgent.
05
Minutes 90–110
Drawings & Commercial Assessment
Attach labelled sketches — every component numbered, every view. Note target market, target jurisdictions for filing, and preferred commercialisation path (licensing, self-manufacturing, or assignment).
✓
Minutes 110–120
Review & Sign
Read through the entire form. Check that every alternative embodiment is listed. Sign and date. You now have a comprehensive disclosure document ready for your patent attorney.
⚠ Pitfalls to Avoid
Describing Only Your Prototype
If you describe only a steel bracket, the patent may be limited to steel brackets. List every material variant, every dimensional range, every configuration you can imagine — even if you haven't built them.
Forgetting Public Disclosures
An undocumented social media post, a trade show demo, or an investor pitch without an NDA can destroy your patent rights in non-grace-period countries. Document every disclosure with dates.
Being Too Brief
A one-page disclosure limits your attorney's ability to draft broad claims. More detail means broader protection. If in doubt, include it.