How to Figure Out if You Can Patent Your Idea

How to Figure Out if You Can Patent Your Idea A  patent  is a set of  exclusive rights  granted to an inventor for a limited period of time in exchange for detailed public disclosure of an  invention. An invention is a solution to a specific technological problem and is a product or a process. The procedure for granting patents, requirements placed on the patentee, and the extent of the exclusive rights vary widely between countries according to national laws and international agreements. Typically, however, a granted patent application must include one or more  claims  that define the invention. A patent may include many claims, each of which defines a specific property right. These claims must meet relevant  patentability  requirements, such as  novelty,  usefulness, and  non-obviousness. The exclusive right granted to a patentee in most countries is the right to prevent others, or at least to try to prevent others, from commercially making, using, selling, importing or distributing a patented invention without permission. Under the  World Trade Organizations (WTO)  Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, patents should be available in WTO member states for any invention, in all fields of technology, and the term of protection  available should be a minimum of 20  years.  Nevertheless, there are variations on what is  patentable subject matter  from country to country. Is Your Idea  Patentable? To see if your idea is patentable: First, check to see if your idea qualifies.Second, learn the basics of the patenting process.Next, do a search for of all previous public disclosures that concern your invention. These public disclosures are called prior art. Prior art includes any patents related to your invention, any published articles about your invention, and any public demonstrations. This determines if your idea has been patented before or publicly disclosed, making it unpatentable. A registered patent attorney or agent can be hired to do a patentability search for prior art, and a big part of that is searching for U.S. and foreign patents that compete with your invention. After an application is filed, the USPTO will conduct their own patentability search as part of the official examination process. Patent Searching Conducting a thorough patent search is difficult, particularly for the novice. Patent searching is a learned skill. A novice in the United States could contact the nearest Patent and Trademark Depository Library (PTDL) and seek out search experts to help in setting up a search strategy. If you are in the Washington, D.C. area, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides public access to collections of patents, trademarks, and other documents at its Search Facilities located in Arlington, Virginia. It is possible, however difficult, for you to conduct your own patent search. You should not assume that your idea has not been patented even if you find no evidence of it being publicly disclosed. It is important to remember that a thorough examination at the USPTO may uncover U.S. and foreign patents as well as non-patent literature.

15 Tips for Getting Hired After the College Graduation

15 Tips for Getting Hired After the College Graduation You’re in a brave new world and searching to get a handle on getting hired after the college graduation. Let’s take a look at 15 tips you’ll be incredibly glad you came across. #1 Job Search Begins on Day 1 If you don’t have a job, then getting one is your job. What’s college for? Getting a job, which is reality means making money. The vast majority of college students are betting (with some serious leverage) on the idea that their education is going to equal a good job down the road. You should start looking for your ideal career on the first day of your freshmen year. Every move you make should be towards that goal. If you don’t know what the goal is, then you should put college off for a year and†¦get a job. Start looking right now. Heres the list of the best summer jobs which can be a good start if you need money right away. #2 Create on Online Presence If you do not have an online presence, even a free ultra-amateurish one, then get on it. No, you do not have to invest tons of time. Simply set up a free blog and a Facebook page. Start there. Online you’re connected to everyone and everything. At this point you need to have one, and being able to network online is a valuable asset. #3 Show Off Your Stuff Don’t be coy, but don’t be ridiculous either. There’s no time to waste. It’s like missing the opportunity to meet an amazing person because you were shy. Life’s too short. Make your move and let your skills sell themselves. #4 Pursue Internship with Clarity Internships are both incredibly worthwhile and hyper-competitive in most cases. Don’t wallow in misery for a year hoping for that ideal internship. Give it your best efforts, but know when to cash in your chips for more readily available career paths. #5 Apply Selectively Don’t shotgun your approach to job applications. Do your homework and only apply to those positions or companies who you can be of the best service to. #6 Hire a Freelancer to Create Your Resume Don’t even think about winging either your hard or soft copy resume. It’s almost an absolute waste of time and you’ll be burning bridges as you go. Instead, spend maybe $50-$100 to get help with your resume from a professional writer. Ideally, one who specializes in writing resumes for your specific career goals (nurses, lawyers, acupuncturists etc.). #7 You’re Always Networking 100% of the time, if you’re awake and breathing you’re networking. It’s a part of life. The difference is that once you’re aware of that, you can then better position yourself to benefit from it. #8 Fix Your Attitude First If you’re life’s not going so well and the job hunt is leaving you empty-handed, the first things you probably need to fix are your attitude and disposition. #9 Come Prepared Don’t show up unprepared if the destination could present potential networking opportunities. Furthermore, if you go to an interview, know everything there is to know so that you’re more likely to impress. #10 Develop a Personal Brand No matter who you are, or what you studied, there are probably lots of people with this knowledge. The ONLY thing that really sets you apart from other candidates is you. #11 Aim for Experience (Wisdom) If you’re alive and above water, then aim for the experience jobs or positions can give you. Not the pay. In today’s world results and experience are worth 100 x what a diploma or degree is worth on the open job market. #12 Sport an Entrepreneurial Mindset It’s an era of the entrepreneur. It really is! The #1 rule of the entrepreneurial mindset is that behind every problem or dilemma is an opportunity. The trick is being able to spot opportunity and needs, and then taking action. #13 Compile an Asset List Sit down and figure out everything you have to offer the world. Write it all down, each thing, no matter how simple. You’ll find that your education and the small amount of things you thought were your only assets, are only a small portion. #14 Optimize Your Efficiency Remember the 80/20 rule. 20% of what you do every day is responsible for 80% of the results you experience. Do you have free time? What else can you be doing? What can you do more of in less time? #15 Throw Conventional Approaches Out the Window Not altogether, just recognize that due to powerful technological and socioeconomic reasons, everything is changing. This includes not only how people look for work, but how they get hired. Use everything at your disposal because in the real world getting ahead is hard. So, how about it, would you alter this list or add to it in anyway? What other tips would you give to the grads that could really use a solid paycheck and a rewarding career?