Preparing, researching and filing a patent doesn’t guarantee that you’ll receive a patent for your invention; it is a difficult and often complicated process.
A patent application can be the first step on the road to worldwide success, and new ideas are being patented ALL THE TIME. However, patience is most certainly a virtue when it comes to standard patent applications. Before you start, make sure that the protection the patent offers your idea would prevent any copying in the markets you’re active in. To avoid wasting time and money on existing technology, do a search on databases, sales brochures and the internet. For example, there are free online databases provided by the European Patent Office with access to more than 90 million patent documents worldwide, containing information about inventions and tech developments from 1836. For new investors, the website offers guidelines on how to search for patents. The waiting can pay off, and this will help you figure out if your idea is truly original or whether it’s been done already!