A US Patent is a legal document that provides the inventor with ownership rights. Having a US Patent allows the inventor “the right to exclude others from making, using, offering for sale, or selling” the invention, as stated in the US Patent statue. All patents are handled by the US Patent and Trademark Office and thus must be approved before they are made official.

Types Of US Patents

Depending on the specific invention you wish to patent, the US Patent and Trademark Office may require you to approach the situation differently. Below, you will find a list of the various types of patents and the descriptions of each:

• Utility Patent – specifically used for the invention or discovery of “any new and useful process, machine, article of manufacture, or compositions of matters, or any new useful improvement thereof.”
• Design Patent – the designated patent for the invention of “a new, original, and ornamental design for an article of manufacture.”
• Plant Patent – encompasses any “invent[ion] or discover[y] and asexually reproduces any distinct and new variety of plant.”

Where To Get Forms To Apply For A US Patent

As each US Patent is different, there is no catch all form that can be used for all of them. You can find the forms that correspond to your specific patent type at http://www.uspto.gov in their forms section. Keep in mind, they do list older forms as well for reference so make sure you select the correct one.

How To Apply For A US Patent

There are two methods for applying for a US Patent:

• Online Filing Method – EFS-Web is responsible for the electronic filing system of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The website accepts all three variations of the US Patent listed above.
• Direct Mail Method – If you manually fill out the US Patent form, you should mail it once completed, to Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.

Cost Of A US Patent

Regardless of what method of submission you choose, the cost of a US Patent as of the time of writing this article is $20

FACT BOX

Website: EFS-Web Direct mail: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.

]]> http://www.tipadviser.net/legal/business-articles/how-to-get-a-us-patent.html/feed 0 http://www.tipadviser.net/legal-articles/how-to-file-for-divorce.html http://www.tipadviser.net/legal-articles/how-to-file-for-divorce.html#comments Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:20:54 +0000 admin http://www.tipadviser.net/wp/?p=104 If you have come to the parting of the ways with your spouse whether this is something that you really desire or if you know it what you must do, you must go about the divorce proceedings in the proper manner. There are things you must do in order to have a legal and binding divorce even if you both agree on the divorce, the division of property, child custody, and child support. The best way in which to learn about the proceedings and what will be expected from both of you is to hire an attorney with expertise in divorce law. You can usually find a lawyer for your divorce by searching for family law attorneys. 

The next step is to file the petition of divorce. You will have to file these papers with the circuit court or superior court in the county or the district in which you live. An attorney can and will file these for you if you desire or guide you in the right direction for filing these papers. You can also call the local courthouse to learn how and where to file the petition.

Irreconcilable differences

You will have to make a decision on the type of divorce you will be filing for such as no-fault divorce. In many states, this is also referred to as irreconcilable differences. However, if you do want a reason listed as grounds for your divorce now is the time to put that into writing. The grounds for divorce states that one person over the other is responsible for the failure of the marriage. 

If you both agree, either one of you can file the petition. In some cases, one person desires a divorce whereas the other person does not want the divorce. Then it may be difficult to get the one that does not want the divorce to file the petition. This could be a good reason to hire an attorney especially in the cases where one person is blaming the other for the failed marriage. There can be issues arise that you might need the advise of an attorney before proceeding.

Costody of children

If there are children in the home, one parent must also file for temporary custody and support at the same time. Once again, if you are bickering on this issue, it would be best to talk with a counselor or a family law attorney before making this decision or you will have major problems when your case goes to court. 

When the papers are served to the spouse, be sure that you receive a copy that shows proof that he/she received the petition for divorce or that his/her attorney received a copy. Have the papers served to your soon to be ex-spouse at his/her place of residence instead of at work. 

Remember, even if you both agree to the divorce and all aspects of the proceedings, divorce can be hard on everyone including children, other family members, and those that are friends with both of you.

Lawyer referral sites

The best way to find a lawyer online is to search out online guides with the help of your computer. You can find a variety of lawyer referral websites that offer you the chance to search for a qualified lawyer according to where you live and the area of expertise. An example would be going to the state in which you reside such as California, and then clicking on the county, and then you will be able to search for divorce lawyers, bankruptcy lawyers, etc… that practice in your local area. 

The best reason to use the internet is that you look specifically for a lawyer that can help you in your situation. Just choosing one from your local telephone book may not be the best way to go. How many do you have time to call to find out if they can take your case? Many times, all you will find is their name, address, and telephone number without any information regarding their area of expertise. 

Use search engines

You can also use any search engine such as Yahoo, MSN, AOL, or Google to find a list of lawyers in your area. Many times, you will find a website besides a referral one that will give you all the information you need. Using the right words in the search box will enable you to find all kinds of lawyers in your area. If you type in lawyer California, you will be amazed at how many pages you will find online. Now you really need to be a bit more specific or you will soon learn that it might take days to find a lawyer with this long list. You could type in divorce lawyer California that will narrow your search results. On the other hand, if you would prefer a directory you could easily search for lawyers directories California or add your County to be a bit more specific. 

American Bar Association

Another great way in which to find lawyers online is by visiting the American Bar Association, International Bar Association, the National Bar Associations, or other bar related websites. Here you will find lawyers in your area along with their expertise. These associations will be able to guide you in the right direction to find lawyers in specific fields such as divorce law, insurance law, business law, family law, immigration law, bankruptcy, civil rights, and more.