| Inventing can be tough, dirty (through enthralling) work. | | | | of intellectual property. If you are even thinking about |
| Fortunately, inventors do not have to go it alone! As it | | | | getting a patent, trademark, or copyright for your |
| turns out, the government makes certain resources | | | | invention, consider this free, informative PDF document |
| available for inventors to use in their efforts. These | | | | required reading. Do not let your dreams of invention |
| resources can come in the form of grants (money) | | | | success fall prey to someone's sleazy scams. |
| and information. Whichever type of resource you are | | | | In short, the USPTO website should be considered the |
| seeking, you would do well to familiarize yourself with | | | | authority for information resources on inventing. The |
| what is available. In this article, we will explore the 2 | | | | other type of resource the government makes |
| types of resources the government provides to | | | | available to inventors are financial resources. |
| inventors and offer examples of each. We will begin | | | | Financial Resources |
| with information resources. | | | | Certain government agencies also provide financial |
| Information Resources | | | | assistance to inventors, especially if their invention will |
| First and foremost, the government provides | | | | be used to start a small business. The Small Business |
| information resources to inventors of all kinds. The bulk | | | | Association (SBA) is the best place to start looking for |
| of this information comes from the United States | | | | funds if this is the direction you are considering. |
| Patent & Trademark Office. One of the more helpful | | | | Specifically, you should check the "SBA Procurements |
| links on the USPTO website is their Inventor | | | | and Grants Hotlist", which we've linked to below. |
| Resources website. | | | | According to the About website, this list "Connects you |
| Here, inventors of all kinds can learn about patents, | | | | with every major U.S. Government grant by listing |
| what they are, how to apply for them, and more. They | | | | each agency's procurement & acquisition site; find a |
| can also read about the types of inventions that are | | | | request that will fund for your technology |
| patentable, a huge aid in deciding whether an idea is | | | | development." |
| worth pursuing. Some of the links on this webpage are | | | | also reports that the Community of Science offers a |
| especially helpful to inventors who are new to the field. | | | | number of grants and funding options to inventors and |
| "What is a Patent" walks inventors through the ins and | | | | researchers: |
| outs of what a patent actually is. Most inventors should | | | | "Funding and grant opportunities for research and |
| begin their education here. | | | | development, this database is huge. They also have |
| Once you are familiar with what a patent is, the | | | | access to job postings, career resources, recruiting |
| USPTO offers a helpful list of Frequently Asked | | | | centers and more. You can also locate bioresearch, |
| Questions (FAQs) about patents. If you have ever | | | | drug discovery, and laboratory equipment and supplies |
| wondered what "patent pending" means or whether | | | | online. They currently deliver more than 1.2 million |
| the USPTO will spill your trade secrets to other | | | | targeted funding matches over the Internet to |
| inventors, you will find the answers here. | | | | scientists and scholars each week." |
| There are also helpful links for those who are already | | | | The United States Department of Energy is another |
| "in the know" on intellectual property. For those looking | | | | agency that provides funds for inventions in its area of |
| to file design patents, for example, the USPTO offers | | | | functioning. If your invention has anything to do with |
| an eye-opening guide on how to get the ball rolling and | | | | energy conservation or efficiency, this would be well |
| follow all the rules in the process. Things like making | | | | worth looking into. From the DOE website: |
| proper claims, documenting your drawings, and other | | | | "For individuals or small businesses, developing an |
| crucial procedures are spelled out in unmistakable | | | | energy-saving invention can be difficult. The U.S. |
| detail, all free of charge. | | | | Department of Energy's (DOE's) Inventions and |
| Finally, one area of the webpage answers the | | | | Innovation (I&I) offers financial and technical support to |
| question "What Free Assistance is Available from the | | | | inventors and businesses for promising energy-saving |
| USPTO?" Here you will find support phone numbers, | | | | concepts and technologies. I&I selects technologies to |
| operation hours, access to forms, and more. | | | | receive grants through a competitive process." |
| Last but not least, the USPTO provides a | | | | Selling a Patent |
| much-needed debunking of the myths surroundings | | | | In short, the government provides a great deal of |
| patents and trademarks. In an age where late-night | | | | information and money to dedicated inventors willing to |
| infomercials promise the ability to market your ideas | | | | seek it out. If you need clarification on some aspect of |
| and many believe they can mail themselves a "poor | | | | intellectual property or a grant, chances are you can |
| man's patent" of documents in a federally stamped | | | | find it. |
| envelope, this is invaluable education on the true nature | | | | |