Peter's path

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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

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!

  1. canada.ca/find-patents
  2. wipo.int/patentscope
  3. google.com/patents

Step 4

To save time and money before applying, Peter can:

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!