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pcgeniela
, November 01, 2013
As an inventor novice, I have regarded the process of acquiring and protecting a patent as uncharted territory, much as Lewis and Clarke must have regarded the unknown land of Louisiana Territory. Like Lewis and Clarke, I needed a native guide to show me the way. Thankfully, author Leon Cooper has shown the way in his new book, “The Patent Jungle��"The Inventor’s Friendly User Guide”. As a business man with several patents to his name, Cooper has proved an invaluable guide to anyone also contemplating patenting and marketing his invention.
Lest anyone think this is a dry recitation of Federal forms, Patent Office jargon, and Government bureaucrats speaking legalese, rest assured that Cooper’s book is a quick and interesting read. The author begins with his own invention and describes his efforts to obtain a patent and manufacture his device, an aerosol spray for testing the function of home smoke detectors. His story sets the stage for the patent process as being a combination of respectful persuasion (read “salesmanship”) and skillful planning. By a putting a human face on the patent application process, Cooper has not only provided a practical example by which to measure one’s own success, but also has made this guide easy to read.
Cooper adds to his own story a detailed recitation of the pitfalls involved in the research, development, and legal processes of obtaining a patent. Among the topics covered; whether to hire a lawyer; how to conduct the search for similar patents; what is patentable and what is not. Finally, author Cooper discusses the failings of the Federal Patent Office, the predatory tactics of “Patent Trolls” and other unsavory characters and self-defenses necessary to obtain and preserve your patent rights. Fewer than 1 in every 2 patent applications are successful and this book will help to improve the odds for the reader’s application.
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