So you have an invention and think you might want to patent it.  What is the first thing you do? – Go tell your mother what a great idea you had; build a prototype to see if it works?  Wrong!

As yourself these questions:

·  Why you want a patent (see the previous blog on this subject)?

·  Do you actually own the invention (make sure the school or the company you work for does not). 

If there is a good reason for getting a patent and you own the idea, continue. 

·  Try to find out if anyone else has done it before you.

 

The world is a big place, so unless you read Chinese and German and Russian, you are not going to know everything but you should at least spend some time looking.  Use an internet search just like you would for anything el...