MightyRecruiterThe spark of human imagination is something to be treasured. It is also something to be protected, which is why, if you conceive of an idea for an invention, it must be a top priority to maintain records of your development progress. If, upon its completion, your application for a patent is challenged or someone infringes on it, victory in the ensuing legal dispute may well come down to solid documentation.
Taking Ownership
If you are skeptical about the need for donating some of your precious time to tracking an invention’s progress rather than spending that time working on the invention itself, there are several crucial reasons to keep in mind. First and foremost, if there comes a time in which you must prove that you are the inventor of something, you are going to need records to serve as evidence that you are thorough and reliable in your work. If push comes to shove, records also serve to show that you were the one to turn the initial idea into something tangible.
Documentation not only serves as protection after the invention has been patented, it also helps during the actual creative process. Having something real to reference is a great way to stimulate your creative sensibilities. Additionally, when the time comes to do your income taxes, you may be able to establish deductions on the basis of expenses incurred in your inventing process.
Recording Methods
If you are just starting to explore ideas for how to turn your invention concept into a reality, you need to invest in a bound lab or composition book, keep the receipt, and start recording your thoughts. Be sure to date the entries, as this will help you prove when you started work if that ever becomes necessary. Any opponents to your patent application will have difficulty making the argument that your records have been doctored, as pages cannot be inserted into bound books.
In terms of formatting, clearly print your name and address on the book’s flyleaf or front cover, as well as the date you started writing things down. Add spaces for witness signatures and numbers to the bottom of each page if this has not already been done by the manufacturer. Make sure that all of this is written in your hand using ink.
In addition, there are several practices that you should get in the habit of using when writing a new entry.
- If you ever get behind on your entries, say so when you come back and state when the work you are detailing was actually done.
- All of your writing should be done in a style that is reflective of your actual manner of speaking to further reinforce your connection to the invention.
- If you make a mistake, do not erase or use correction fluid. Just draw a line through the incorrect information and address the error in the margin.
- Whenever you leave open space, draw diagonal lines or crosses through them before moving on.
- If you realize later on in your process that major changes need to be made to the invention, state the changes in a new entry rather than going back and correcting your old writing.
- Once you have a day’s entry complete, have it signed by a witness immediately afterward.
- Make sure that you use impartial witnesses rather than close friends or family members.
Once you are done for the day, take measures to ensure that the contents of your bound book are kept secret. Some ways of doing this include using confidentiality agreements with your witnesses and locking the book away when it is not in use.
Crafting an invention should be a thrilling time for you. Integrating a few things into your daily routine ensures that you can work without potential legal trouble lingering in the back of your mind.
Legal Disclaimer
The content on our website is only meant to provide general information and is not legal advice. We make our best efforts to make sure the information is accurate, but we cannot guarantee it. Do not rely on the content as legal advice. For assistance with legal problems or for a legal inquiry please contact you attorney.