| Have you ever thought to yourself, "I wonder if my | | | | inanimate tool or combination of tools that perform a |
| idea can be patented?" I know I have! There isn't a | | | | useful and beneficial result. |
| day that goes by that I don't have some sort of | | | | 2. Articles of manufacture can be patented. An article |
| new epiphany. This huge idea almost always needs to | | | | of manufacture is defined as any physical and or |
| be measured against the rules that regulate filing a | | | | tangible object that can be crafted using possible |
| patent. Most people are unaware of these rules. I | | | | methods of manufacturer. Again, those methods of |
| want to change that. | | | | manufacture must be supported by current laws of |
| First, let's mention a few of the items that cannot be | | | | science and physics |
| patented. If your invention is a process that can only | | | | 3. Process or type of method patent applications can |
| be performed mentally, it is not patentable. The | | | | be filed. Process or method is a way of doing or |
| government does not wish to limit what can be | | | | accomplishing a desired result. One recent process or |
| performed only in one's mind. All processes must be | | | | type patent awarded rights to an individual for a new |
| able to take some practical form. The same goes for | | | | way of holding a gold club. As long as you can prove |
| any idea. It must be able to do something useful and | | | | a useful and beneficial result, your process, including |
| tangible. | | | | computer programs that just generate random |
| If your invention cannot do what it is claiming to do, | | | | pictures, can be patented. |
| such as perpetual motion machines, controlled and | | | | 4. Composition of a substance can be patented. |
| predictable time travel, or machines that produce | | | | Composition is defined as the special chemical make |
| more energy than they consume, it cannot be | | | | up of a product. This specific makeup has useful and |
| patented. It is important to understand that your | | | | beneficial results. |
| ideas must be supported by our current laws of | | | | 5. Any new uses of the first four classes. This |
| physics. As the laws of physics evolve, so to will the | | | | statement is very powerful. It allows anything that |
| laws of patents. You cannot file a patent application | | | | can be patented, even if it has been patented in one |
| on human beings such as clones, nor can you patent | | | | embodiment, to be patented in a new and useful |
| atomic energy fueled inventions. If your ideas include | | | | way. If you can prove that an existing patent has a |
| patenting a human clone, such as yourself, or a | | | | new embodiment, then you have a new patent. |
| machine, like a watch, clothes dryer, or other item | | | | In summary, just because an item isn't patentable |
| that runs on or uses atomic energy, you will not be | | | | today does not mean it won't be in the future. You |
| granted a patent. | | | | can file a patent for a new embodiment of any item, |
| Now that we understand some of what cannot be | | | | as long as it produces a beneficial and tangible result, |
| patented, let's look at what can. These are the five | | | | even if it has been patented before. You may be the |
| classes of items and a brief definition of what | | | | person who patents a new style of soccer kick, or |
| congress has deemed patentable: | | | | lead pencil. The possibilities are endless. |
| 1. Machines can be patented. A machine is any | | | | |