Download Newsletter PDF >
Pursuing a patent starts with an invention. Harvesting the inventions of your employees is an important part of developing a valuable patent portfolio for your company. If an employee (“inventor”) has developed a new product or product improvement, or even a product concept, it is important to track and assess that invention for patentability. One way of identifying and tracking such inventions is through a formal invention disclosure program wherein employees submit invention disclosure forms to management. The invention disclosure forms are assessed by management, perhaps with the assistance of patent counsel, to determine whether pursuing patent protection is appropriate and whether the invention should be maintained in confidence until patent protection is applied for.
An invention disclosure form is a confidential document completed by any employee to identify and document the basic information regarding an invention. The invention disclosure form can be used internally within the company to evaluate whether patent protection should be sought, and will be used by patent counsel at Andrus to gain an initial understanding and assessment of the invention.
An invention disclosure form should ask the inventor to provide one or two paragraphs describing the invention, highlighting the novel feature(s) that differentiate the invention from the prior art, and request inclusion of detailed diagrams or drawings of the invention. Further, an effective invention disclosure form answers the key questions identified in the adjacent diagram.
The invention disclosure form serves two key purposes. First, it allows the company to assess the value of the invention and to determine whether seeking patent protection is appropriate. For example, the company may make decisions regarding whether to pursue a patent for an invention based on factors such as competitive advantage, projected sales, and infringement risks, with a clear focus on maintaining alignment with company’s strategic objectives and product development plans. Since the process of obtaining a utility patent involves multiple steps that can be time consuming and expensive, patent protection may not always be the appropriate or most desirable form of IP protection. Second, if the company decides to move forward with applying for a patent, then the invention disclosure form provides an excellent starting point for an Andrus patent attorney to get a preliminary understanding of the invention and to note any impending bar dates or filing deadlines.
Where it is decided that a patent application may be appropriate to pursue, the company should contact its patent attorneys at Andrus to make a final assessment of patentability and a plan for filing the appropriate application. One important factor to consider with your attorney is whether filing for foreign patent protection is valuable for the particular invention. If foreign filing is desired, additional steps for successful patentability must be followed, including preventing any disclosure of the invention to individuals or entities outside of the company prior to filing a patent application.
IP protections and laws are detailed and complex and the information provided herein is not exhaustive. Please consult with your IP Attorney at Andrus with any IP related questions you might have to ensure that your company's IP is harvested and managed properly. We suggest working closely with your IP attorney at Andrus to develop a comprehensive and personalized IP management plan, including written policies and procedures for handling invention collection and confidentiality.
790 N. Water Street, Suite 2200, Milwaukee, WI 53202, P (414) 271-7590, F (414) 271-5770
Copyright ©2024 Andrus Intellectual Property Law, LLP. All Rights Reserved. Site Map