Patent It Yourself (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Say that you've come up with a really nifty idea for a gizmo that would improve the lives of every human being on Earth and probably turn you into a gadzillionaire, too! Before you get too far into the fantasy, you need this extremely detailed and comprehensive guide to the process of getting a patent. This is not a small book, but it contains everything you need to know, including a lot of things you probably don't KNOW you need to know. Very detailed, with examples of forms you'll need, addresses and marketing advice, this is the complete guide you'll need to navigate this complex process from square one to gadzillionaire-ness! --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From Library Journal

This is a revised and considerably enlarged edition of a book published in 1979 by McGraw-Hill ( LJ 7/79). It is more thorough and provides better coverage of peripheral topics (e.g, how to keep lab notebooks, marketing and licensing inventions) than Kenneth Norris's The Inventor's Guide to Low-Cost Patenting ( LJ 7/85). Norris, however, includes more extracts from relevant regulations and the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. The heart of both books is the process of acquiring a patent: searching for "prior art," drafting claims and applications, making drawings and responding appropriately to "office actions" of the Patent and Trademark Office. Pressman writes well and formats the material for easy reference. Recommended for public libraries. Jack Ray, Loyola/Notre Dame Lib., Baltimore
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Nolo; 8th edition (October 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873375637
• ISBN-13: 978-0873375634
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #450,542 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

188 of 188 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth 6 stars, November 21, 2001

By	R. Klauber - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have used Pressman's Patent It Yourself since the late 80s to file and process 18 patents, and have saved myself and my business partner (a lot of money) in legal fees. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Pressman is not just knowledgeable, he is a master teacher, imparting information with consumate pedagogic skill. He makes learning of complex legal issues as easy as one can imagine. His prose is often humorous and entertaining as well.

One recommendation: If you use this book to write your first patent filing, let a patent lawyer review the filing before you submit. This shouldn't cost you more than an hour or two in attorney fees and from my experience can enhance your submission and improve its chances for allowance significantly. I did this for my first several submissions and learned something each time. Eventually there was little the attorney could offer, and I then ceased the practice.

Wish I could give 6 stars for this remarkable book.

85 of 86 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patently Wonderful., June 3, 2000

By	T. O. Whitehead (El Campo, Texas) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Patent It Yourself (Paperback)

If you're contemplating a patent, this book is a treasure. It is thorough and well-organized, a wealth of relevant material articulately presented by a writer who obviously knows his stuff. Patent attorney David Pressman guides you step by step through the process -- conceiving your idea, adequately documenting your invention, successfully writing and obtaining your patent, avoiding legal pitfalls, and profitably marketing your intellectual property.

At each step along the way Pressman presents insiders' information without which you could easily trip and fall. And at each step he offers practical "laundry lists" of issues to consider, facilitating a level of thoroughness that would be hard to achieve without them.

It's easy to recommend this valuable work, both to inventors who want to seek a patent on their own and to others who just want a comprehensive overview of the law, the issues, and the process.

67 of 68 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Patent It Yourself by David Pressman is a sure winner!, August 23, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Patent It Yourself (4th ed, How to Protect, Patent, and Market Your Inventions) (Paperback)

If you have a great idea, but don't know what to do with it, "Patent It Yourself" by David Pressman is here to help. This book is a true blessing to both novice and seasoned inventors alike. It's organized format and light-hearted illustrations make this a truly enjoyable read. Packed to the gills with information, "Patent It Yourself" will answer virtually any question an aspiring inventor may ask. It covers everything from avoiding invention marketing companies to patent searching, from drafting a patent application to licensing your creation. The author is a practicing patent attorney registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, a former patent examiner, as well as an inventor himself with his own patents. His experience definitely shines through in each page of this work. As an inventor myself, I have truly put this book to the test. With the aid of "Patent It Yourself", I have taken two ideas from images in my head, to patented, finished products that are supplementing my income. This book has saved me thousands of dollars in legal fees and has also saved me from many a headache. I would definitely recommend "Patent It Yourself" to anyone interested in turning an idea into profit. Christine Hanisco - Lansdale, PA