Hi,
I have an idea for a website and need to patent it. To make it easier,
you can imagine a website like eBay which a seller posts an item on
the eBay website and the user goes and bids on the auction and wins
the auction if its highest price (just an example, of course eBay and
online-auction system is already patented).
So I need step-by-step, as much information as possible, on where to
start, where to give my idea to create the diagram, documents needed,
samples, references, examples, or any other kind of information for
patenting this website idea.
Please note that I already know that I can go to USPTO website and
search and read the information, but I want something very similar to
my idea. I also need to know any hint or info that I may need while
applying for patent, etc.
I'll compensate by a great tip. |
Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
23 Feb 2005 11:01 PST
The type of patent you are describing sounds like what is known as a
business method patent.
There is certainly information available on how to prepare and submit
an application for a business method patent.
I'd be glad to point you to some of these resources, but I must say,
the preparation and submission process is very tedious and
complicated. Many people wanting to submit such an application find
they need the assistance of professional patent-preparation services.
I can also point you to professional firms who can help you prepare a
patent application, and who could then walk you through the submission
and approval process. Of course, there are fees associated with this,
as with any professional service.
Would links to these sorts of resources -- resources that describe the
patent process, as well as links to firms that can assist you -- serve
as an answer to your question?
Let me know. And if there's something different you had in mind by
way of an answer, let us know in a bit more detail how we can best
help you here.
Thanks....and good luck!
pafalafa-ga
|
Clarification of Question by
admin1-ga
on
23 Feb 2005 11:18 PST
Hello and thanks for the comment.
Since my patent is regarding the method (or model) of the website
functionality, I think, as your mentioned, it falls into the 'business
method' patent. I understand that the patent process is long and
complicated and I will eventualy need to seek an attorney to lower the
possiblity of denial, but what I need is basically more information as
far as what sort of things are required to patent similar work.
For example, if you check Monster.Com website and scroll down to the
bottom of the page, you'll see they patented their search technique
"©2005 Monster - All Rights Reserved - U.S. Patent No. 5,832,497". I
searched for this patent on USPTO and since there are a lot of useless
information, couldn't really understand what they patented and how
they categorized their search (and if I really need to gather this
much info to patent)
In other words, I want to know how I need to gather the information,
what patent I have to choose, what is the process, how long it takes,
etc. So later if I end up hiring a professional firm, I have the basic
information on my hand.
It might be useful to mention that I am website programmer so I can
create the diagram, system, etc, but I just don't know what is exactly
needed.
Please let me know if I can further clarify the issue.
Thank you for your time and effort.
Michael
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Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
23 Feb 2005 12:59 PST
Michael,
Thanks for the note.
I'm not 100% sure quite where to steer you on this, so let's try out
one or two things first.
Have a look at the following two documents.
The first is a basic how-to-file-a-patent type of thing from INC
magazine, that gives some good background:
http://www.inc.com/articles/1999/10/14737.html
Obtaining Your Own Patent Should Be Easy
Frequently asked questions help you apply for and obtain a
patent--without hiring a lawyer.
and the next is from the Patent Office itself, and is specifically
about business method patents. It's pretty jargon-y, but I think
you'll get the gist of it. The really pertinent parts geing on page
5:
http://www.uspto.gov/web/menu/pbmethod/aiplapaper.rtf
Successfully Preparing and Prosecuting a Business Method Patent Application
-----
The applicant is in the best position to explain why an invention is
believed useful. Applicant should in the specification:
1. include a clear description of the invention;
2. describe the problem being solved;
3. identify the best mode of the invention;
4. clearly identify any practical application asserted for the
invention by identifying how the claimed invention produces a
"useful, concrete and tangible result" (See State Street);
5. as noted earlier, discuss the best known prior art that is related
to the invention.
-----
Let me know if this is the sort of information you need, and what else
you might find useful as an answer to your question.
Thanks.
paf
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Request for Question Clarification by
pafalafa-ga
on
08 Mar 2005 19:58 PST
Hello again Michael,
Just checking in. Have you had a chance to review the materials I
posted in my earlier message? I think these are pretty useful
resources, and pertinent to your question, but of course...that's
somthing only you can be the final judge on.
Let me know what you think, when you have a chance.
pafalafa-ga
|
