There are several key steps to patent a new business service model idea and start using it. Patent protection provides innovators with exclusive rights over their novel operational processes, unique workflow methods, or original ways of doing business. When properly filed, these intellectual property (IP) assets defend companies for up to twenty years. As a creative business owner, you should know how online USA patent attorney services could impact organizational productivity, profitability, and performance. This way, you can reduce competitive threats, maximize ROI, and upgrade your day-to-day procedures. Read on to learn about patenting a service and using it this year.

Determine Your Eligibility

First and foremost, determine if your eligible for a business model patent. In accordance with United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) requirements, new, novel, and non-obvious business methods qualify for patent protection. The USPTO maintains rigid, strict eligibility standards for service patents. Some industries have higher clearance and acceptance rates than others. These IP assets are most commonly issued to companies in the financial services, data processing, agriculture, and education sectors. However, they are also regularly acquired by market leaders in the video gaming world. Indeed, take time to verify your eligibility before patenting a service model idea for use.

Verify Your Service Is Worth Patenting

Even if you're eligible for a USPTO service patent, verify that your business model is worth protecting. Your service is only worth patenting if it provides direct value to your clients, stakeholders, employees, or greater organization. If nobody will be interested in your service model, it may be worth waiting until your next brilliant idea. If you believe you truly have something unique, original, and out-of-the-box – act fast. After all, you don't want someone else to get credit for the idea before you. Absolutely, ensure that your business model idea is worth patenting with intellectual property protection.

Keep Detailed Records

As you prepare to file for a business model patent, keep detailed records through every step of the journey. You must be able to demonstrate proof of concept origination and idea ownership from the earliest possible date. There's always a chance that another inventor could be brainstorming similar ideas to you – without even knowing it. With clear documentation in-place, you can prove to the USPTO that you weren't deliberately copying anybody else. Make a simple inventor's journal in a standard composition book. Or, start making digital notes or voice memos in your smartphone device. Definitely, you'll want to keep detailed records through every step of the service model patent filing process.

Hire A Patent Attorney

At this point, it is time to meet with an experienced, USPTO certified service patent lawyer. While it isn't required, a skilled San Antonio intellectual property attorney will help you navigate every step of the patenting process. Look for an experienced intellectual property attorney – who has years of expertise related to your business sector. This way, you can increase your chances of USPTO approval and accelerate the time to commercialization. Remember, patent attorneys can virtually service clients from all over the country. So, don't restrict yourself by geographic location. Certainly, hire a business patent attorney to defend your novel services with intellectual property.

Discuss Confidentiality

When you're dealing with highly-sensitive, top-secret, unconventional business model ideas – confidentiality is key. Schedule a preliminary interview with your USPTO certified patent attorney. During this consultation, discuss how your service idea will be kept confidential. The best IP law firms make confidentiality a top priority – accepting no compromises. They understand the threats that serious competitors pose and will do what it takes to keep your processes secret. Surely, take time to discuss confidentiality with a service patent law firm.

There are several fundamental steps successfully patent a service and start using it. Whether you are looking to patent a business manufacturing process, day-to-day workflow, or out-of-the-box organizational procedure – you should know the required steps. Start off by determining if you're eligible and qualified for patent protection. Next, verify that you're unique service is worth patenting with intellectual property (IP). Through every step of the journey, be sure to keep detailed, comprehensive records. From here, you're ready to hire a USPTO-registered patent attorney. They'll help you navigate the process, maintain confidentiality, and accelerate the time to IP acquisition. Follow the points above to learn about filing a patent for business services and using it this year.