Protecting Your Idea

In some cases, it can take from six to twenty-four months or longer from the time an invention is disclosed to the time it is protected by a patent or other means. Being able to prove when an invention occurred is absolutely vital to obtaining patent protection in the United States. So we advise you to think about protecting your idea even before your idea has completely taken shape. If you wish, you can contact OTD at any time during your research phase for advice on strategies for protecting intellectual property.

Some specific methods by which you can protect your idea include:

Keeping a detailed Research Notebook
Arranging Confidentiality Agreements, if necessary
Arranging Materials Transfer Agreements, if necessary
Making sure your Timing for Invention Disclosure is right.