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I potentially invented a new toy and want to get a patent. Is it necessary to hire a lawyer for a Patent Application?
How can I found out if I can patent a wooden toy that my father began selling in our local hardware store years ago? Is it even possible to patent such a thing?
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Answers (1)
Unless you’ve handled this type of research in the past, you should contact an intellectual property attorney and take your toy design, pertinent papers and a prototype of the toy to his or her office to see if you might be able to patent the object. Patent applications can be tricky so it’s best to leave this type of legal process to a qualified attorney.
Before visiting your lawyer’s office, you might like to briefly review many of the patent designs searchable on the Internet. However, special software is needed and you’ll need to see if you already have it or can download it for free off the Internet.
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has provided a help page with various tips and answers to Frequently Asked Questions that should help you handle your first research inquiries.
References:
Posted by Elizabeth Smith on 21 Jan 2010
1 person found this useful
(2 Votes)