Customer Reviews

Let's Talk Patents

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This little book tells you: what patents can and cannot do for you; how and whether to apply for a patent; how long a patent can protect your idea; the cost and time required to get a patent; etc. The writing is informal with clear examples and minimum jargon. It can be read quickly to provide good advice before deciding on whether to try to get a patent.

The sub-title for "Let's Talk Patents" tells us it's a patent primer for "Busy Corporate Managers and Entrepreneurs." What it does not say is that it is also a primer for any inventor who would throw off the cloak of ignorance.

Why? Because ignorance of patent law [ignorance: not having knowledge of a certain thing] may lead to unintended forfeiture of patent rights, or worse, being scammed out of money the inventor cannot afford.

Anyone who might be put off by the word "primer" must consider -- where do you get your knowledge of patents now? In High School or College? Not likely. Only a couple conventional colleges in the U.S. even have courses on inventing and patenting. So how does one learn about this vital subject? From TV ads? Advice from a brother-in-law? Some business article or column you read years ago? Unfortunately, the answer is too often, yes. That's a pretty meager education on a subject that may change one's life... Now perhaps a "patent primer" is starting to make more sense? Especially if you would rather not appear too stupid when you do reach that point where you need to talk to a patent attorney.

Let's assume you are a fairly typical problem solver, manager, or free thinker, and maybe even a grasp of the concept of invention -- patent -- money. Most everyone does. But if words or phrases like "intellectual property rights", "prior art", "doctrine of equivalents", "disclosure", or "infringement" are not a part of your vocabulary, you can offer a big Thank You to Ms. Etherton for writing and publishing "Let's Talk Patents." She is a registered patent attorney, but because she avoided writing it in "lawyer-ease," your ignorance is about to dissipate.

Upon opening her book and looking at the list of contents, "WOW" would be an automatic response. You may not have ever pondered questions about "Statutory Invention Registration" or "Direct and Indirect Infringement" but now, all of a sudden, you realize you are holding in your hands not just a book about patent education, but a real reference jewel. "Let's Talk Patents" suddenly becomes a valuable resource for information -- for you!

Before even finishing the first chapter, there's another revelation: "Let's Talk Patents" could easily have created a high intimidation response by being another compendium of dry, factual pages. But oh no, it's not... In fact, Ms. Etheron's style is so direct --so clear -- that her teaching examples make it very easy for us to relate to things we already know. Who could not relate to: "walking into a dark alley unarmed" and "red flat" or "...it's usually the money, who has it and who gets it."

Her straight talk, easy language and understandable examples, such as the problems of two competing bicycle manufactures, pull the reader along so smoothly they may not be aware of how much they're learning. That's talent.

After Etherton's book, when someone says "Let's Talk Patents" you will be armed and ready.

Sandra has done a very good job of presenting a complex subject in a very approachable manner. While not exhaustive, this book will give you a good basic understanding of patents and how they can help a business reach its goals.