Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 11
Preface 13
Prologue 17
An Introductory Overview of the Journey 21
The Map 23
Chapter 1 The Journey Begins 29
Chapter 2 Time to Choose Your Best Concept 33
Mind's eye Visualization: A Side Trip 36
Chapter 3 Early Practical Evaluation of Your Invention's Merits 45
Commercial Evaluation of Your Invention's Merits 48
Chapter 4 Business Support & Possible Funding 61
Chapter 5 Intellectual Property Introduction 71
Chapter 6 Introduction to Patents 79
Utility Patents 81
Design Patents 85
Plant Patents 85
Provisional Patent Application 86
Notices 88
Introduction to Trademarks 89
Introduction to Copyrights 91
Introduction to Trade Secrets 91
Chapter 7 Patents: In-Depth Study 95
A Sample Utility Patent: 100
A Bogus Patent Example: Claims Discussion: 109
Chapter 8 More Decisions. The Pathway beyond Gate [8] 117
Chapter 9 Do It Yourself (DIY) Patent Search 121
Claims Infringement Analysis 128
Chapter 10 Professional Patent Searches 139
Chapter 11 Patent Filing 142
Foreign Filing: 147
Chapter 12 Fraudulent Marketing and Development Firms 151
Chapter 13 Cashing in on Your Invention 157
Patent Assignment 159
Full Assignment 160
Partial Assignment 161
Patent Licensing 164
Basic Elements of a License Agreement 175
Partnering 183
Chapter 14 A Short Diversion: Some Personal Experiences 185
Chapter 15 Proof-of-Concept Testing 201
Chapter 16 Product Definition 211
Chapter 17 Qualification Testing 217
Chapter 18 Starting Your Own Business 221
Business Location 226
Product Release 235
Chapter 19 A Few Hard-Earned, Random Bits of Advice 243
Chapter 20 The End Game 245
Chapter 21 Final Thoughts 249
An Endnote to Parents 250
Appendix I The America Invents Act 253
#1 AIA Change: First to File 256
#2 AIA Change: Post-grant review 257
#3 AIA Change: Inter-partes review 257
#4 AIA Change: Derivation proceeding 258
The Quiz 259
Quiz Answers 271
About the Author 283
Index 285