From Mary Bellis,
Your Guide to Inventors.
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One of the most common questions that a newbie inventor has to ask is, "What Do I need? Do I need a patent, trademark, or copyright?" These are the three different types of what is called intellectual property. These are products that come from the creative mind. Intellectual property is imagination made real. Intellectual property is an asset just like your home, your car, or your bank account and there are ways to protect and profit from intellectual property by using a patent, trademark, or copyright.

Patent

Utility, design, or plant patents protect inventions and improvements to existing inventions. Inventions must be "things that have purpose" and not ideas or names. For example, I would patent my invention of an improved car tire that never goes flat.

Trademark

Trademarks are words, names, symbols, devices and images that represent products, goods, or services. Trademarks identify and promote different brands or services. For example, I would trademark register the service name of my catering business, Quickie Caterers. Also, I would trademark register the brand name of a cookie that I manufacture and sell, Fluffy Not Stuffy Cookies.

Copyright

Copyrights protect the expression of ideas in literary, artistic and musical works. For example, I would copyright register all the books and articles that I have written. Also, I would copyright register all the paintings that I have painted.

Can I Combine Intellectual Property Protection?

You can use all three types of intellectual property protection together if necessary. For example, I would patent my invention of an improved car tire, a car tire that never goes flat. I would also trademark register the brand name of my invention, the Tireless Tire. I would copyright register the instruction manual that I wrote that explains how to take care of a Tireless Tire.

What Do You Want To Learn More About?

• Patents
• Trademarks
• Or Copyrights

Do I Need To Hire A Lawyer

Filing a patent application is very hard and complex. Filing a trademark application is not easy. Filing for copyright protection is the easiest. Patent offices will not assist you in the preparation of applications, however, they do provide you with some instruction and guides. If you are ready conduct any intellectual property activity as a beginner you are strongly advised to contact a registered patent attorney or agent.

How do I finance and/or market my ideas?

The Small Business Administration or SBA provides excellent information on starting, planning, marketing, obtaining venture capital and financing a small business. The SBA also provides training and counseling.

Also see - Funding - Obtaining government grants, small business loans, scholarships and other programs to fund your ideas.

Invention Promoters and Promotion Firms?

  Before making commitments to promoters and promotion firms, you should check on their reputation before making any commitments. Remember, not all firms are legitimate. It's best to be wary of any firm that promises too much and/or costs too much. Many inventors pay thousands of dollars to firms that promise to evaluate, develop, patent, and market inventions and then do little or nothing for their fees.  

Avoid a Financial Disaster

If all you have is an idea, don't ever take the easy way out and think a company or individual is going to do everything for you. Many of these companies are not the real deal. Avoid getting ripped off.

   See Also - Questions For Promoters - Required information disclosure from promoters and promotion firms.