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Anonymous asked about advice for helping with a patent application. I
haven't written a patent application, but I worked at a patent depository
library for a year and a half. If you have such a library in your area, I'd
suggest you start there. A patent depository library has patent records,
patent search material, and other resources regarding patent information.
They house the material in cooperation with the U.S. Patent Office. The
library provides a place for anyone to research existing patents, perform
patent searches, and to find information about preparing patents.
It's great that you have a lawyer. People don't always realize that filing a
patent application can be extremely detailed and complicated, as well as
time consuming. Yes, your lawyer will probably be paid handsomely, but if
you've ever performed a patent search yourself, you'll understand why patent
lawyers make a good bit of money. It's not for the faint of heart.
That being said, the idea is that anyone theoretically can research, write,
and submit their own patent application. Patent depository libraries exist
to make that possible. For more information, if you haven't already, visit
the Patent Office web site at http://www.uspto.gov/. Go to http://www.uspto.gov/go/ptdl/ for more information about the Patent and
Trademark Depository Library program, and to search for such a library in
your area.
Finally, you've probably already checked, but I'd check Amazon.com or
another bookstore for books on patent applications. A book we often referred
folks to at the library, "Patent It Yourself" from Nolo Press, is available
at Amazon (ISBN: 087337469X). Another one that popped up there that might be
good for your situation is "Patent Strategies for Business" (ISBN:
0966143795); though I can't recommend it from personal experience (never
having seen it), it has a 5-star Amazon rating.
Good luck with your work! It sounds like an exciting opportunity for you.
Lydia
__________________
Lydia Wong
Technical Writer
FarPoint Technologies, Inc.
www.fpoint.com
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