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Hey, stop, right they're over 600,000 patent applications are filed each year. And chances are if you're watching this video, you're considering obtaining a patent for your invention too. As a board certified patent attorney with over 25 years of experience, I've seen every mistake you can possibly make when filing for a patent. I don't want you to run into any issues. So listen to my quick list of do's and don'ts for applying for a patent. Don't tell friends or family about your idea. Loose lips sink ships, your idea only has to be revealed to one person in order for it to be stolen. Many inventors think that because they don't disclose how an invention is created, someone cannot steal it with just the idea. However, oftentimes, the real genius lies in the concept of solving a problem and identifying it, and once someone knows that, they can figure out how to bring it to life, or hire someone to help them. Second, don't file for a patent without knowing if your idea is patentable. Not every idea can be patented. In fact, not every idea should be patented. So save yourself a lot of wasted time and effort before filing by having your idea evaluated by a registered patent attorney. Now in order to be patentable, your invention must be novel and non obvious. And these are tricky concepts. They're defined by case law, a skilled patent attorney can help identify if your invention qualifies for a patent or not. At the patent professor, we can also help you work around your invention. If it turns out that something else is close to what you have. Next, conduct a patent search a patent search is a highly recommended option. Because it saves so much time and money. The worst thing you can do is go straight into applying for a patent. Without truly knowing if your idea currently exists. Google searches will not disclose everything, and it is very risky to proceed this way. A patentability search that is not done via keywords is the only way to ensure that similar ideas do not exist. At the patent professor, we credit half of the patent search fees you pay towards your patent. So you have every reason to have the research done first, before you file you wouldn't go through with an important surgery without the doctor doing an x ray first, and filing for a patent is the same way. Finally file for a provisional patent application. And keep in mind, it's a more cost effective way to protect your invention for up to a year. But be careful, it has to be done right or you will have a false sense of security. Once on file, you're considered patent pending, and can openly discuss your invention with others. You can also perfect your idea and determine if there's a viable market for you to sell to. Provisional patents are a valuable resource for those with a limited budget who still seek out protection. Remember, when it comes to filing a patent for your invention, you have a responsibility to yourself and to the public who would benefit from your invention to handle it with care. You do that by not prematurely disclosing your idea, conducting a patent search and making sure that you work with a registered patent attorney to ensure that your filing date is secure. Do you have any questions about filing for your patent? Leave them in the comments below or call my office at 1877 patent Professor