Online Invention Disclosure

Purpose

• In addition to listing who invented and owns the patent, the online invention disclosure form also includes specific information about the invention such as its purpose, features, advantages and functions. An illustration of the invention is usually requested to be attached or forthcoming.
  
  

Significance

• In general, the United States Patent and Trademark Office grants a patent to the inventor who was "first in time" --- that is, the inventor who conceived the invention at the earliest date. A patent gives an inventor exclusive rights to control his invention and prevents other parties from infringing on his rights. Whether used to prove when an invention occurred or to protect the inventor's exclusive rights, an online invention disclosure form can be used as evidence to establish a patent and/or claim.
  
  

Warning

• Submitting an online invention form does not automatically grant the inventor a patent. A patent application must be submitted to the USPTO and approved by the federal agency before a patent is granted.