Research and Development

Terminology

Research – refers to the advancement of knowledge

Development – refers to the application of knowledge

Market Research – refers to the process of gathering, recording, and analyzing data about consumer needs and wants and the products, processes, and services they use

Invention vs. Innovation

Invention: A new product, system, or process that has never existed before, created by study and experimentation.

Innovation: An improvement of an existing technological product, system, or method of doing something.

Market Research

• Purpose – help companies make better decisions, create a business plan, launch a new product or service, fine tune existing products and services, or expand into new markets.

• What information is needed in order to solve the problem?

• Basic Steps – – Define the research problem– Select and establish research design– Collect and analyze data– Make Decisions

DefineResearchProblem

EstablishResearch

Design

Collect andAnalyze

Data

FormulateFindings

Market Research Process Model

Process

Describe Problem

Process

FormulateResearchQuestions

Formulatesub-questions

Process

Set Research Objectives

Process

Set Timetables

Process

Select ResearchDesign

Process

Select InformationTypes

Process

Select InformationSources

Process

DetermineResearchInstrument

Process

Design ResearchInstrument

Internal?

CollectData

ClearingData

Coding Data

TabulatingData

Process

Hire external datacollectors

Yes

No

Discussionwith

Customer

Write DraftFindings

MakeDecisions

Present FinalFindings

End

Start

Patent Applications

Just the Frequently Asked Questions

What is a patent?

A patent is a legally binding contract between an

inventor, an owner (who may be the same person) and the people of the U.S. represented by the U.S.

Office of Patents and Trademarks.

Who is involved in obtaining a patent?

The Inventor/The Owner

The Patent Attorney

The Patent Examiner (U.S. Citizens)

Patents limit competition.

Patents are a teaching tool.

Patents demonstrate capability. Patents protect intellectual

property.

Why would I want to obtain a patent?

Brief Introduction

Technical Description

Legal Statements

What are the main parts of a Patent?

Abstract:

Specification:

Claims:

Do I need to build my invention to obtain a patent?

No

Do I need to have every last detail of my idea fleshed-out and

documented to apply for a patent?

No

If I have an idea I want to patent, but I am not prepared

today to file an application, am I out-of-luck?

No

If I publish a paper about my invention, or sell my invention, prior to applying for a patent,

do I forfeit my opportunity

to do so?

NoBut you only have one calendar year from any one of the above events to

file.

If I have a patent, and I improve on my idea, is my improvement automatically covered by the

original patent?

No

But a ‘Continuation in Part’ application or a new application

may be filed any time prior to the date the original patent issues.

Are U.S. patents recognized by other countries?

Yes and No

U.S. Patents forbid the development, marketing and/or sale

of items under U.S. Patent protection

within the U.S., unless an individual is licensed by the owner of the

patent.

Are there foreign patents, and can I apply for one if I want to patent my invention in other

countries?

Yes

Foreign patent applications are:

• extremely expensive • usually more difficult to satisfy• subject to similar, but different

restrictions and criteria.

What should I do if I want to apply for Patent Protection?

• Evaluate the cost.

• Evaluate the merit of the idea.

• Write a letter to the U.S. Office of Patents and Trademarks.

• Identify and retain a Patent Attorney.

• Develop the Application.

Approximately how much does it cost to apply for a U.S. Patent?

Evaluate the cost $ 7,000.00+/-

Patent Search Expenses* $ 500.00Application Fee $ 500.00Attorney’s Fee $ 2,500.00

Litigation Expenses $ 1,500.00Maintenance Fees $ 1,500.00

Total: $ 6,500.00

*Optional Expense - may lower risk of failure

How do I evaluate the merit of my idea?

• Evaluate the merit of your idea in terms of your life goals.– Having an approved patent does

not mean instant rewards; it may take 10 to 20 years.

• Evaluate the merit of your idea in terms of time invested.

– A patent application may take as much as 2 - 3 years to issue from date of application, not counting the time to develop the application.

How do I evaluate the merit of my idea?

• Evaluate the merit of the idea in terms of earning potential.

– Will your idea generate $1,000,000.00?• Direct Business

– New Business• Co-Lateral Business

– Sale– Licensure

• Lost Opportunity• Infringement Benefits

– Litigation

Why would I want to write a letter to the U.S. Office of Patents and Trademarks?

• U.S. Patent Law allows an inventor to notify the U.S. Office

of Patents and Trademarks of your “intent to patent,” thereby protecting your idea for one calendar year.

• Nominal fee $25.00 to $100.00

Disadvantage - Critical Deadline

Advantage - Early Disclosure Protection

Why should I contact a Patent Attorney?

• It is possible to apply for a patent without an attorney, but the risk of failure is very high.

• He/She is your representative to the U.S. Office of Patents and Trademarks.

• He/She is your counsel for interpreting the law.

• He/She is your technical “sounding board” and strategist.– A Patent Attorney has a Degree in

Engineering and in law.

What do I need to develop my Patent Application?

• A credible, patentable and valuable idea– Not obvious to “someone of

ordinary skill in the art.”– Not already published or on the

market.

What should I do if I want to apply for Patent Protection?

• Evaluate the cost.

$7,000.00 +/-• Evaluate the merit of the idea.

Risks vs. Value• Write a letter to the U.S. Office

Protection of Patents and Trademarks.

• Identify and retain a Patent Attorney.

Help!• Develop the Application.

WORK!