Yes you can sell your invention without patent protection in place. There is no requirement to hold an issued patent before you begin selling your invention idea but in most cases it is not strategically advisable.
Without a filed patent, there is nothing preventing somebody else from copying your idea and selling it in competition to your efforts. We advise our clients to not market inventions until they have some form of patent protection on them or at least explore the options and implications before doing so.
Most inventors choose to obtain some form of patent protection, typically at least a Provisional patent filing, once they have finalized the design and functionality of their new invention idea. Provisional patents are designed to provide initial protection for a year while allowing you to further develop your idea to a finalized product. While patents provide you with protection for your invention, the process involved in obtaining them can take several years to finalize.
We are happy to help you determine which path (Provisional or Non-Provisional or Design patent) makes the most financial sense to follow. We encourage all our clients to make a budget and follow it. We provide written quotes so you can develop a solid game plan. Patents issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office provide inventors with legal protection against infringement. Once your invention has been patented, nobody is allowed to use your disclosed idea without your permission. If your intent is to license your patent most business savvy companies won’t purchase rights to an unprotected invention. Patent protected inventions need to provide value.
For more information please review our website: www.innoventivepatent.com
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