August 2010
A patent can be a marvelous tool that helps you build and tap the market value of your invention. Or it can be a useless burden that drains your time and money. As with a hammer, you can hit the nail on the head or you can just injure yourself. Patent attorney Elizabeth Shuster helped us understand what kind of tool a patent is by treating us to an overview of patents – what they are for, what kinds there are, what they are made of, how they are made, and how to use them. Uses of a Patent A patent gives you the right to prevent others from benefiting from your invention without permission. That right to be negative can help you carve out a place in the market for the invention, persuade a business to license the invention, persuade potential customers to buy products that exemplify the invention, gain a reputation as an inventor and as a leader in your field, or stimulate growth of an industry. But even though you have a patent, you might not be allowed to...