Patent / Copyright / Trademark
Patents, copyrights and trademarks are different forms of legal protection for intellectual property. Patents give the inventor the exclusive right to make, use and sell an invention, while copyrights protect original creative works and trademarks distinguish a company’s products or services. All three are designed to promote innovation and creativity by providing legal incentives for individuals and companies to invest in new ideas and creations.
Technical Writing Basics
Technical writing involves creating clear and concise documents that explain the various forms of legal protection for intellectual property. This may include patent specifications, copyright registrations and trademark applications, among other documents. Technical writers must have a strong understanding of intellectual property laws and regulations and the ability to communicate complex information in a way accessible to a broad audience.
Provisional Process
Filing a provisional patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) allows inventors to establish a priority date for their invention without having to file a formal, non-provisional patent application. The provisional application is a placeholder for a later, more comprehensive application. The provisional application must include a written description of the invention and any drawings or diagrams necessary to understand it.
Invention vs. Innovation
In the field of intellectual property, invention and innovation are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Invention refers to creating a new and useful process, machine, manufacture or composition of matter that is not obvious to someone with ordinary skill in the relevant field. An invention is typically patentable, and the patent owner has the exclusive right to make, use, and sell the invention for a limited period.
Engineering Notebook
An engineering notebook serves as a legal document that can be used to establish ownership of an invention or innovation in intellectual property law. The notebook typically includes detailed notes, sketches and drawings documenting the engineer’s thought process and progress in developing an invention. The entries in the notebook are usually organized by date and include a description of the work performed, any problems encountered and potential solutions.
