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Peter's Path
PDF: 698 KB; 1 page
Peter has a small business and has a great idea for a digital measuring device!
He built a prototype ...and wants to protect his innovation!
What does Peter do first?
The road to intellectual property (IP) protection:
- patents
- industrial designs
- trade secrets
- trademarks
- copyright
Step 1
- Keep it a secret! Prototype
- Shhh!
- Peter doesn't reveal his innovation to anyone.
- Need to share your invention before you protect it?
- Have confidentiality agreements: canada.ca/protect-your-innovation
Step 2
- ASSESS your IP
- Peter does his homework to know what he should do.
- canada.ca/learn-IP
He learns about the benefits of patent protection.
Patent protection
Step 3
- Search!
- Peter is confident his invention is original, new and useful.
FREE SEARCH TOOLS!
Step 4
To save time and money before applying, Peter can:
- Have an IP strategy that supports his business goals.
- Business Plan
- IP Strategy
- Talk to industry peers for free advice.
- Use free biz tools!
- canadabusiness.gc.ca
- Concierge
- cipo.gc.ca business links
Step 5
Do I have everything I need to apply?
- basic IP knowledge
- IP strategy
- budget
- search results
- drawing and clear description of his invention (goals, features)
What's next for Peter?
Meet with a patent agent and file his application.
Consider protection of his other IP:
- Trademark: register his brand name.
- Industrial design: register his original design of the device.
- Copyright: register his original product and consumer info.
This is Peter's path. yours may be different.
For more info, explore: canada.ca/intellectual-property
Find valuable information and search free databases!