This book has a ridiculous amount of information. I've almost read the entire book and while I do feel much more knowledgeable about the patent process, I will definitely have to go back and re-read large portions of it. I guess there's just too much for my little brain to absorb. I will probably look for something that explains things in a "10 step process" or something along those lines. This is basically the Bible of patenting and I probably just need the "10 commandments".

An astounding book with all of Attorney David Pressman's knowledge about Patents in 572 pages. He makes you think twice (and more) about filing pro se, and although not said, he underlines that you need to be a genius to understand the instructions, the rules and the Patent Laws and to follow through successfully.

I am a long time buyer and avid of Nolo books, they make the complex vocabulary of the law understandable. I have used Nolo books in the past to buy a house, start a business and write a will as well as countless other documents. Nolo has saved me thousands in legal fees.

This book is a well designed reference for the non lawyer which will allow you to understand legal documents and proceedings. It is sort of like having a translator for a foreign language and less like an instruction book. It is a good reference for those of us who like to be informed before we sign the paperwork.

As an aside, I think I will add this book to my list of "books to bring when called for jury duty". This has a duel purpose, allowing me to understand the legal terms being used and indicating to the lawyers that I will be an informed juror.

Information is power and finding out the plain language meaning of confusing terms will help to make you a more informed individual.

Agreements often go from clean with plain language directly into confusing or ambiguous elements where misunderstandings can occur.

The best policy is to understand what you sign or not sign it until you do. Don't let a confusing or ambiguous statement cost you money or the right to take action when it counts the most.

I actually used this resource to file a first patent application as well as an improvement patent for a battery powered can opener.

Great data! Highly recommended

--WE

Unfortunately I can't say how well this book works as I don't have anything to patent yet. But another reviewer expressed that really well. I can say that for someone with no legal background I find these books to be very clear and easy to understand and follow. In some respect I find them interesting to read.

This book is a classic from Nolo Press (the excellent O'Reilly Media publish-alike for Do-It-Yourself
Legal Preparation) that is a completely necessary and easy-to-follow guide to the Patent preparation process
for all would-be Inventors and Engineers. It was the highly recommended textbook for Patent Practice in a
course on New Product Development, that I audited at the Wharton School. Because it explains the different
types of Intellectual Property Protection available under US Law, the nature of Patent Claims, the Patent
Writing Process and the nature of Novelty, it is a necessary guide to those engaging the services of an
Intellectual Property Law firm as well as to do-it-yourself legal practitioners in making the best and most
efficient use of Legal Services.

It is the best, easiest-to-follow and well researched guide for any any Engineer, Hobbyist, Maker, Product Designer or other
Individual who is considering or who wishes to take advantage of US Intellectual Property protection.

__Ira Laefsky, MSE/MBA

Like all government entitities, the patent office is not your friend and not there to help you!

The language used by the patent office is not English! The procedures are not clear but must be followed precisely. The patent office will use every opportunity to reject everything you submit and charge penalties for not following instructions. It will take years to communicate and you will finally give up . . . UNLESS . . . you have this book!

First, no one knows your invention better than you. Second, your mission is to get a patent as soon as possible. So, why would you want to pay big bucks and turn your patent application over to an attorney whose mission is to keep the application process delayed forever so he can bleed you to death in legal fees?

This book leads you through the entire patent process which you can handle on your own. Yes, it's tedious . . . but you invention probably was too. You can do this . . . and probably faster than an attorney.

The book also leads you through the invention process with evaluation steps along the way. Pay attention! You will begin to see and appreciate your invention from an entirely different perspective.

The patent process is a drag, but this book makes it interesting. The book is detailed and easy to read. You will be prepared for each part of the patent and how to submit so that the patent office can't reject it due to technicalities. You will also learn how to write each section to comply will all rules and requirements.

One drawback. Once your friends learn that you did your own patent, everyone will come up with stupid ideas and want you to write the patent for them!

JZ in Marietta GA

This book is so self-explanatory and easy to use, it was so worth purchasing it. I recommend this to anyone interested in obtaining a patent, it will save you a lot of money instead of hiring somneone to do the work for you.

Fab book, you really CAN do it yourself- or the book also explains how to protect your interest WITHOUT patenting, either!
I've read others, this is by far the best!

I found this book to be quite useful. I am by no means "an inventor" but I do have a few ideas floating around my noggin. One of which was simply another use for an invention that already exists. This book made it very clear as to what I would need to do in order to proceed with my idea. It is a well written, organized book and I highly recommend it for anyone who is looking for information about patents. If you are more learned and knowledgable about the world of patents, I have no idea if this book would be of service. At worst, it will give you food for thought and a checklist of steps.

I've used Pressmans book, both an earlier edition and the current one, to guide the way I draft patent applications for my company. We still go through a lawyer, because we can afford to, but having the application written in proper format before giving to the attorney means that your legal costs will be much less, you will waste less time going back and forth with the attorney on drafts and expensive conference calls ($400/hr!!!), you will get an earlier filing date whcih could make all the difference in a dispute, and the inventor is more likely to find that each and every inventive step is fully claimed. Pressman does a great job; I'd love to see him make a variation of this book specifically for computer-related patents, but in general the rules are the same for everybody, so whether you sequence DNA or if you design bicyle chains, this book is for you. There's a companion book which shows you how to do patent drawings in great detail, which is especially useful if your invention is mechanical in nature.

This book is filled with great information on how to patent an idea completely (well mostly) by yourself. I had some ideas that I thought were unique and through this books guidance I was able to research other patented items and see that even though I had some good ideas there were already patents out there that were still valid. So, on to other ideas.

Dont be fooled by the ads on the television tempting you to get a patent for your invention through them. What they end up doing is charging you money and owning a percentage of your product. The only people making money in that would be the scammers themselves. Instead, get this book and learn how to get patents yourself. It tells you step by step on which forms to fill out, where to look for current patents, and also legal loopholes to check out.

Very informative book, I highly recommend it to any inventors out there.

Thank you for reading my review.

Nolo is the first stop for business advice books, and for good reason. Their books are usually accurate, up to date, and easy to understand. NOLO also offers many great resources on their web site. This book does not include a CD-ROM.

This is a large and very detailed book on patent law and process, and a thorough review would require months of time and several pages. That said, I found it to cover the topic very well on most issues, and found only a few nitpicks which would matter only in certain cases.

Since most of the material is well done, I will concentrate on the nitpicks. This is not intended to slight the other marvelous material in the book, just to give a heads-up in areas I find lacking.

First, I find the authors somewhat biased toward corporate interests as opposed to society and the small inventor. This is evident in sections like the sidebar on page 420 discussing "patent trolls" and "submarine patents." They are generally dismissive of the existence and practice of these two things, and indeed use definitions from Wikipedia, not exactly a sound source to reference. Granted, those two terms may not be in Black's Dictionary, but seriously, Wikipedia? In a book on patent law? Not guaranteed to generate confidence.

By way of explanation for those who don't yet know, a patent troll is a person, group, or company who buy and hoard patents to use as leverage or commodities rather than to exercise the patent itself. They may also be buying it to bury it or prevent significant advancements from disrupting their current business. In some countries, there are even provisions in patent law which prevent the issuing of "disruptive patents."

Submarine patents are patents that people suddenly spring on a market claiming infringement after protracted periods of no action. In looking through the book for information on statute of limitations for infringement actions, I found it difficult to locate that information. It is mentioned briefly on page 418, but not in any other section on dealing with infringement, and not indexed at all. I would have liked a more concentrated discussion of this, as it is a serious enough piece of litigation to be more visibly addressed.

On page 421, it is stated that a person is not allowed to make even one copy of a patented device, as that would be infringement. I must admit I was under the impression that a person could indeed make one copy to test and validate the device, and that this was an intended part of society's rights under patent law. Apparently this notion is not correct.

This again makes me think the authors are biased, as they seem not to address the whole notion of society's rights and the intentions of our U.S. Patent system. They also do not address much of the patent system's history or the changing nature of patents and their uses. Probably since this is meant to be a guide to actually working the patent process, they felt it unnecessary to go into such things.

Compulsory licensing by the government is only very slightly mentioned in a small sidebar on page 419. Since this is a significant topic in a country where the government contracts out to so many manufacturers, it should be given far more coverage than it is.

Also related but not covered at all are the government's "march-in" rights, and the ability to take a private patent "black," removing it from public scrutiny. March-in rights mean that the government can come in and take ownership of a patent, ostensibly for "national security" concerns. They may or may not compensate the patent holder, and may place them under strict non-disclosure agreements (gag orders) regarding the entire situation, even that it happened at all. I think this is a significant subject to broach for potential patent holders.

Speaking of non-disclosure agreements, the authors do mention them but seem to think they are not all that useful in most cases. They do not discuss non-circumvention agreements, which are an absolute necessity in dealing with large entities like corporations, universities, and government agencies. In certain areas of technology, these are very important documents to have.

All in all, a good book despite my nitpicks. I found some very interesting things which would inform any discussion on patent reform (which is desperately needed), and the book is certainly a must have if you are considering a patent.

Other than those few nitpicks, another good NOLO book I heartily recommend.

I found this book at my public library, and it has been extremely valuable. Thanks to the book I saved thousands of dollars, and a lot of time in preparing for and submitting my provisional patent, and thanks to the book I know how to use the different patent databases, and how to write at least one claim. I am going to use it, when I am ready for the regular patent application.

It's the truth. I had an idea I thought I could patent two years ago and I knew nothing about the patent process. I got this book, worked hard, waited, and recently received a patent for my idea. This book is incredible. It's comprehensive, well organized and, I'm proof, you can follow it from beginning to end and get a patent. This book is so well done I felt I needed to come here and share my experience and give it the five stars it deserves. Good luck!

The Nolo Press offers several books for those who want to do their legal work themselves. Some of the Nolo books are better than others. This book, Patent It Yourself, really shines. Lots of detail. Lots of hints picked up from fighting for years in the patent trenches. All explained well, in a well-organized book.

Some things could have been done better. Patent It Yourself has gone through several editions, and some editing and updating has been a little spotty. The book seems a little too long and complex now, with vestiges from the past. I would not want to read the book through, although it has a good index and is great as a reference.

But the main problem I see with this book lies not with the book itself, but with the idea that it is worth anyone's time to file a patent application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. In recent years, the patent office has become a nightmare to deal with. Even for patent attorneys, let alone an inventor filing an application on his or her own.

Delays in issuing patents have soared. Patent examiners have become (for the most part, but not all) rude and abrasive. The patent office seems bent on denying patents, not granting them.

So it may not be worthwhile to patent if yourself. If you think it is, though, this book might be a big help.

I think if you were considering patenting something, this book may make you think twice. Patents are a long, drawn out and, in the long run, expensive thing. You'd have to really be serious to patent something. This book not only talks about the patent process but also about what can be and what is worth patenting. This discussion should probably be the first thing people consider. Just because it has a patent doesn't mean you are going to be rich, or make any money. There is often a big difference between an idea and something that people or businesses will buy. And once something is patented, you are on your own to enforce it. If you want to do the process yourself, and you are not a lawyer, this book could tell you how, and in a way that is easy to read and understand. It is good for that. But, as they suggest, it is also good if you are having a lawyer do it and you want to keep tabs on what they are doing and understand what they are telling you. It is good for, in my case, a reference to all patent questions and issues from a business perspective. I have had clients that have had patent issues come up from manufacturers and suppliers and this book is a good reference to figure out if you are possibly violating a patent, or they are blowing smoke. Also, in general, it is an interesting look into the patent system, current and historical, and would be good for anyone with an interest in business, US history or inventions.

I loved it. This book is big, fat, detailed, and full of content. I found it was well outlined and well written. Of course, it should have been since it is in its 14th edition in 2009. Please examine the Search Inside feature Amazon provides for this book so you can study the book's Table of Contents. There is an Introduction, 16 chapters, and 8 appendices.

This book is not a stand-alone. Nolo (the book's publisher) sells three companion books to this one that really should be read along with this one if you intend to actually "patent it yourself." They are:

>>Inventor's Notebook: A Patent It Yourself Companion
>>Patent Searching Made Easy: How to Do Patent Searches on the Internet & in the Library
>>How to Make Patent Drawings: A Patent It Yourself Companion

I recommend all four of these books be read as introductory guides to the US Patent and Trademark Office Web Site that covers all of what these books cover and more. It's always easier to dip your toe in the pool before you dive and start swimming laps. These books will be that toe dipping. 5 stars!

I wondered why this cost so much more than if I had have purchased the two items seperately?

The book starts out with a very good explanation of what patents are and are not - important to understand before diving into the filing process. It also have relevant information on scope of the patent, patent rights, etc. While this information can be found online, it is convenient to find in one place nicely organized.

Book layout is great and easy to understand. For example, under the topic for Provisional Patent Application there is a comparison (in table format) showing the pros and cons of the PPA compared to a "Signed and Dated + Witnessed and Dated Record of Building and Testing". Another example is in Chapter 8 on "How to Draft the Specification and Initial Drawings". The book gives you 3 checklists of the "most common errors and areas generally needing improvement" -- Checklist for Preliminary Drawings, Checklist for Draft of Specifications - Writing in General, and Checklist for Draft of Specification - Specification.

As another example, the Claims section is very informative, including information in techniques in claim writing, explanation of commonly used techniques/clauses such as "Whereby", "Consisting" vs "Comprising", etc.

From experience, I've seen patent lawyers charge for a patent search and actually turn up less prior art information than my own searches. In all cases, as the inventor, I have to check the work of the lawyer in drafting up the patent. It is helpful to have a book like this to study beforehand to be able to evaluate effectively the work of the patent lawyer you contract and make sure they have accurately filed the correct claims relevant to your invention!

Patent it Yourself is very thorough. It explains everything you will need to know to patent your invention. It also includes official forms, and advice on marketing your invention.

Yes, this is the one book inventors need if they want to do all the work in procuring a patent. But mastering all the information requires an effort equal to a two semester college course. At least this much work is required to succeed.

A word to the wise: be sure that there will be a market for your invention - before you go to all this trouble. Most patented inventions don't make it in the market place.

This book is really an introduction to the patent process. The author explains what protections and rights a patent gives you and explains the process and requirements for filing a patent and the differences between utility and design patents. However some of the content is a little out of date and the USPTO now has a very comprehensive and clear set of online documents and guidelines that now limit its utility IMHO.

There is a legal language that has to be used that is not common usage when writing a patent, which this book mentions this but does not give specifics. Fortunately you can pick this up when doing your patent search for prior art. If you have a patent that you feel has very broad scope you are should seek the help of a good patent attorney as they do have the knowledge and experience to craft the language to give you the broadest coverage. This book will explain what the attorney does and how best to help him so as to minimize your costs by minimizing the review and redraft cycles.

Calling all dreamers! How many times have you come up with a great idea for a product or invention, and just let it go? If you are like me, a lot. I have never even thought about a patent. Nor did I even know what it was for the longest time. Even if you thought of something, have not seen it, but found out someone else did, this is a great resource to everything involved in getting information on your similar ideas, and jumping on one that you originated.

There is no way I could read this entire book as if it were a novel. However, I am enjoying it's reference at hand appeal. One of my guilty pleasures on TV right now is a show called "Shark Tank". A bunch of tools with found money, or good luck with a chance. That's all they are. However, they invest and gamble to make more money, not only on their own developments, but the ideas of others. One thing they always want to know is if a presented idea has a patent, and if so, can they have it? You could essentially make money just thinking up something that does not have a patent, logging it as instructed with forms and documentation etc., and you then have to sell your idea. Even if you are not good at selling yourself or your thoughts, you partner up with someone who is. The entire process is a world of negotiations, luck and risk. And there will always be at least one tool in the room.

I have not yet filed a patent, but I will turn to this or it's latest edition when I do. I have a few I have been sitting on and now is the time to do more than think about them. This book may overwhelm you with information and babble to the common ear, but it will inspire you to do more. It doesn't hurt or cost much to dream. Start here.

Let me start by saying this is not a book you want to read in one sitting. You can sit down and read the first few chapters -- but soon after you'll be overwhelmed. But that's a good thing! You'll get a good idea of things such as the three main patent types. Surprisingly, the book also delves a bit into marketing post-patent. This might help some folks determine whether patenting is worth the time (and money.) Hence this title is useful even as a marketing reference for a new invention.

There's a reason this is Amazon's #1 bestselling book on patents as of the date of my review. It's extremely thorough -- and up to date. Reviewing the 14th edition (released September 2009), you can definitely find points where it's helpful to have a recent copy of the book. While the writing style at time may seem detached, this works well to suit this book as a reference title. You'll find plenty of charts, diagrams, and very helpful flow-charts inside. Unlike some other Nolo titles, you'll also find plenty of example materials -- and one of the appendices is full of pull-out forms you can use right away. There are also "case studies" -- I put this in quotes as most of these are fictitious inventions that lead you through the patent process. "Commandments" are also sprinkled throughout the book; I'd call these "best practices" when dealing with the nuances intellectual property law. Along with these easy to understand checklists are presented at the end of each chapters. Working in the IT industry, I'm also happy to see the book delve into the intricacies of software/technology patents along the way.

A terrific value -- especially if you want to save money by not hiring a patent attorney for basic (and perhaps even more complicated) applications. Or if you just want to get a better idea of the patent system in the US and internationally.

This book will save you a lot of money in the patent process. The concise and easy to understand writing (found in all Nolo books) will make a difficult process much easier. If you can't afford a patent attorney, this is the next best thing. And if you are thinking of using a patent attorney down the road, then this book is a great way to get started and will save you many hours of legal fees.

In addition to this indispensable guide book, I would recommend the US Patent Office's Independent Inventors Conferences. These are annual and you to hear from and ask questions to inventors and patent clerks. Visit the USPTO website for more information.

I owned an early edition of this encyclopedic guide to the patent process, and I have to say that this one keeps up with is predecessor well.

First, very few people will actually be able to successfully apply for their own patent on their own with the help of any book. The process is difficult, demanding and expensive. How. ever, this book is not without it's worth even to those who seek help.

Simply finding out what is patentable, how to do searches, and the ins and outs of claims will save any inventor time and money. Learning how to keep an inventor's notebook and file provisional patents can save intellectual property.

Using this book, inventors can do a lot of their own work, perhaps saving thousands on legal fees. I recommend it even to those going to use patent attorneys to help inventors speak the same language and understand the process better.

If you're thinking of patenting an idea, this is the book you need to show you exactly how it's done. It is chock full of instructions, methods and instructions to get you all the way to the finish line. Highly recommended for anyone looking to learn about the complete patent process.

I purchased several books to help me navigate my way through the process of bringing my product to market. The books I purchased are 1)The Mom Inventors Handbook 2)Inventing on a Shoestring Budget 3)Inventor's Notebook: A Patent It Yourself Companion 4)Patent It Yourself, 13th Edition (this one). When this book popped up on Amazon Vine shortly thereafter, I exchanged the one I purchased for the "vine" book (since "Patent it yourself" was the most expensive of the lot). Well, I can see why it is. Patent It Yourself is the most comprehensive of the ones that I purchased and I think it is worth the extra money. I bought mine with the companion workbook and these are the two books I use the most and they work beautifully together. Highly recommended!

Like anyone else interested in this book, I have a couple of ideas I would like to patent. To be honest, I have not read the entire book - I'm using it more of a reference, reading a chapter here and there, and skimming for the information I need.

There are 16 chapters, plus several appendices, tear-out forms and reference areas. The chapters are arranged in logical order, from introduction to marketing, documentation to after patent issues.

The author includes numerous "commandments" - basically single paragraph important do's and don'ts - I skimmed the book and read these first.

I have almost zero experience (I filed a couple of trademarks years ago) working with the Government's labyrinthine system. This book is an excellent guide through that tortuous maze!

Patent Attorney David Pressman has written the most complete patent book that is on the market today. The book contains 16 chapters in 570 pages and he covers every aspect of patents. The book starts out defining patents, trademarks and copyrights, it covers the science of inventions and tells how documentation is more important than the invention itself. The author addresses that you need to know if you can successfully sell your invention, the requirements of a patent and searching to make certain your idea hasn't been invented yet. He goes on to the manufacturing possibilities, drafting the specifications and initial drawings, the claims and finalizing and mailing your applications.
David Pressman tells you to make a working model to market your invention, he covers patents abroad, he tells what happens after your patent is filed and that your application can have children. He then goes on to cover the use, maintenance and infringement you must care for, after you are issued the patent and finally the ownership, assignment and licensing of your invention for the future.
This book is amazing as it covers every aspect of a patent and the processes it goes to from the beginning of the design to the end, when you have complete legal ownership. He includes every form you will need to file and even includes his website address to keep you updated on new forms and patent laws. I cannot imagine how many years it took Mr. Pressman to complete such a thorough book for any inventor who needs to do all his own leg work to bring his idea to the market with all his legal rights in force. It's truly an unbelievable achievement to include every step and form in this amazing 5 Star book and David Pressman certainly gets my highest recommendations for a Patent book like no other!

I actually got this book for my father-in-law who creates things all the time and is always looking for the next "big idea." He's had some real winners and always stumbled upon the process in which to patent a product safely and without risk to your ideas.

This book is very complete, that being said it's very very long coming in at around 600 pages. And covers everything you would want to and need to know about how to patent your invention while saving money by allowing you to do most of it by yourself.

The book covers topics such as
-first, can you patent your ivention? Not everything can be patented!
-makes sure you understand the law around patents
-analyze the potential for your invention in a commercial environment (retail)
-help you do your own patent search (very nice!)
-file a provisional patent application
-helps you prepare the formal patent application
-helps you respond to patent examiners
-tells you how to amend an application.
-explains how to maintain and enforce your patent
-gives you ideas on marketing and licensing your invention

With these topics and so much more I highly recommend this book from NOLO. Be warned, it is lengthy, but in this case it seems to be very complete.

I highly recommend you purchase this book if you have an idea you want ot patent and are unsure of the steps you need to take OR if you want to save money in the patent process as this book will walk you through the steps very nicely.

Well I have to start this review out by saying that I haven't yet filed a patent, but after reading this book, I am going to submit for a patent several ideas I have had for numerous years. I couldn't believe the wealth of information that was included in this book. If you have any ideas at all for literally anything that you would like to apply for a patent for, I strongly suggest that you spend the money to get this book. You won't regret it and you will save yourself a lot of time, money, and headaches.

Shawn Kovacich
Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence series.

Up-to-date and very thorough. Easy to read. The box insets and "Tips" reinforce the material. The "Common Misconceptions" questions are a brilliant idea for all learners. Really enjoyed those.

The Decision Flowchart is priceless. By simply anwering Yes or No, and following the chart, the independent inventor can decide the best course to follow with any particular invention or idea.

A very valuable, easy to use, resource for the do-it-yourself'ers. Highly recommended.

This is my 3rd additionn. Have 4 patents with the 1st two and purchased this addition to get the latest Patent Office changes and some additoanl information. Pressman knows his stuff and presents it so you can prepare your patent. It is not easy but if you follow his recomendations you will have a quality document.
He shows how to serch exisiting patents which is a necessary early step.
Recommend it highly.