U S Dept of Commerce

Patents and How to Get One U S Dept of Commerce

If two or more persons make an invention jointly, they apply for a patent as joint inventors. A person who makes a financial contribution is not a joint inventor and cannot be joined in the application as an inventor.
-from Patents and How to Get One

Produced by the Patent and Trademark Office and written in clear language that doesn't require a lawyer to interpret, this is an important resource for inventors looking to protect their valuable work.

This step-by-step guide to the patent process answers all your questions:
. What is a patent?
. What can be patented?
. Who may apply for a patent?
. What specifications, models, or exhibits must accompany a patent application?
. How long does a patent application take?
. How can denied applications be appealed?
. What rights are granted by a patent?
. and many others.