Patents & Inventions

Gadget Invention Patent Application

Coming up with a gadget invention can be an exhilarating feeling. You may be tempted to share your idea with as many people as possible because you are proud of what you have accomplished.

If, however, you wish to gain commercially from your invention without the idea being stolen from you, it is imperative that you first file a provisional patent application before disclosing any information about the gadget invention.

Public disclosure of the gadget invention before filing for a provisional patent application at the South African Patent Office will disqualify the invention for patent rights. In South Africa an invention must be absolutely novel to qualify for patent rights.

It means that no prior publication, announcements and usage may have taken place anywhere in the world before the provisional or complete patent application filing date.

As such refrain from sharing information about the gadget invention with anyone before taking the required registration steps to protect the invention from being copied, used, distributed or commercially benefitted from by another party.

Even before you take the gadget invention to another party for review and assistance, file the all important provisional patent application. Should a dispute arise over the invention, the first patent filing date is taken to determine priority.

You will have 12 months in which you can perfect the gadget invention, test the market, get expert guidance regarding the development of the gadget invention, and gain funding for commercial development before you must file the permanent or complete patent application.

Once you have filed the provisional patent application, which is a rather straightforward process, you will thus be able to disclose information about the gadget invention. When it comes to filing the permanent patent application you will need the assistance of a patent lawyer for patent assessment and searches.

Contact us at Smit & Van Wyk for assistance in filing provisional and permanent patent applications in South Africa and abroad.

Patent Links

Gadget Invention Patent Application - Even before you take the gadget invention to another party for review and assistance, file the all important provisional patent application.
How to Patent Inventions - To protect your rights as an inventor you need to file patent applications for your inventions in each country, where protection is sought.
Protect your Invention - For public disclosure and protection of an invention, the inventor needs to apply for a patent.
Patent Application - Contact Request