When should I seek patent protection?

If you are an inventor or creator and have an idea or invention that could be commercially successful, you may want to consider seeking patent protection. Patents are legal rights granted by the United States government for inventions, granting the patent holder exclusive rights to the invention. A patent in North Carolina can provide protection for a product, process, or technology. In order to be eligible for a patent, your idea must be new and useful, and cannot be something that has already been patented by someone else or is already publicly available. You should also make sure that your invention cannot be easily recreated using existing technology or information. Ideally, you should seek patent protection before you make your invention available to the public. If you make your invention publicly available prior to filing a patent application, you may have difficulty obtaining a patent. It is also important to seek patent protection before you disclose any information about your invention to potential investors, partners, or customers. Finally, you should seek patent protection before you make substantial investments in developing the invention, such as acquiring materials or building prototypes. Not only will this ensure that your invention is protected, but it may also help you maximize any potential profits from the invention.

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When should I seek patent protection?

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