The best way to protect your invention is to keep good records. Let The Inventor's Notebook track & and prompt you to take care of every important step in the process. Use it to:

document the development of your invention

help you can make refinements while building and testing

assess the commercial potential of your invention

calculate how much capital you are likely to need

organize your search for funds to build, test, manufacture and distribute your invention

create a record of contacts who know of your invention and have signed confidentiality agreements

The Inventor's Notebook also includes new patent rules for application and prosecution, up-to-date agreements and new forms.

The perfect companion to Nolo's bestselling Patent It Yourself, this book includes:

worksheets

forms

sample agreements

instructions

references to relevant areas of patent law

a bibliography of legal and non-legal aids

and more

Appendix I: Notebook

Record of Conception of Invention
Record of Building and Testing of Invention
Other Possible Applications of Invention
Trademark Conception and Protection
Distinctive Design Conception

Appendix II: Worksheets

Prior Art Search
Patentability Checklist
Provisional Patent Application Checklist
Patent Application Checklist
Design Patent Application Checklist
Trademark Use and Registration
Record of Contacts
Legal Protection Summary
Positive and Negative Factors Evaluation
Potential User Survey
Regional Buying Patterns of Related Products
Predictions for Targeted Buying Groups
Conclusions Regarding Marketing Trends
Manufacturer/Distributor Evaluation
Choosing the Right Company
Budget
Checklist for Selling Invention/Seeking Capital
Funding Sources and Results

Appendix III: Glossary

Glossary of Useful Technical Terms
Glossary of Patent Terms

Appendix IV: Fee Schedule

Appendix V: Tear-Out Forms

"The best way to protect your invention is to keep good records. Let The Inventor's Notebook track - and prompt you to take care of - every important step in the process. Use it to: -document the development of your invention -help you can make refinements while building and testing -assess the commercial potential of your invention -calculate how much capital you are likely to need -organize your search for funds to build, test, manufacture and distribute your invention -create a record of contacts who know of your invention and have signed confidentiality agreements The perfect companion to Nolo's bestselling Patent It Yourself, this book includes: -worksheets f-orms -sample agreements -instructions -references to relevant areas of patent law -a bibliography of legal and non-legal aids -and more The Inventor's Notebook also includes up-to-date agreements, a glossary of patent terms and a section on using the Internet to develop and promote your invention. --List of Forms-- Consultant's Work Agreement Proprietary Materials Agreement Joint Owners' Agreement Assignment of Invention and Patent Application Universal License Agreement Request for Participation in Disclosure Document Program Invention Disclosure Provisional Patent Application Cover Letter "