"One of the most important steps in applying for a patent is the completion of an invention disclosure form!"

 Providing the best information in the best way will help others better evaluate the invention.  This includes a patent attorney evaluating your invention disclosure to provide a patentability opinion, a freedom-to-operate search and opinion, to draft a patent application, or to provide a quote for drafting a patent application.  It also may include tech transfer offices, patent review committees and others who make decisions based on the content of your invention disclosure.
     This course provides an in-depth review of the process of completing an invention disclosure and applying the knowledge you gain here will result in a higher quality invention disclosure.
     This course explains the process, discusses common questions and mistakes, explains why certain questions are asked on an invention disclosure, and provides guidance on how best to answer the questions on an invention disclosure form. This course also walks through an example of a weak invention disclosure form and how an inventor can perform a makeover to result in a much better invention disclosure form.
     After this course, you will be able to clearly communicate a description of your invention to others within your organization and/or your patent attorney, which should result in saving you and others involved valuable time and expense, and ultimately producing a better patent application. 

About the Instructor

My name is John Goodhue and I am a patent and trademark attorney at the intellectual property law firm of Goodhue, Coleman & Owens, P.C.  For over 20 years, I have helped businesses protect their valuable intellectual property while avoiding unnecessary risks from the intellectual property of others.

Inventors are some of my favorite people and I work with inventors from all types of different backgrounds and different education levels--from an eighth grade education to multiple Ph.D's and everything in between.  One of the most important parts in the patent process is effectively communicating your ideas through an invention disclosure to others in your organization and perhaps ultimately to a patent attorney like me. 

I created this course to help inventors better understand a typical invention disclosure form and why the answers provided can make the difference between obtaining a patent or not. In some environments it may make the difference between your organization proceeding with even filing a patent application.