For entrepreneurs, investors, creators, tinkers, and any business with products or processes that can be patented, Patents Demystified provides an easy-to-understand insider guide to patents, patent law, and the patent application process. Based on the author’s first-hand experiences with both successful and failed companies of all sizes, you will learn the secrets of maximizing patent protection on any budget, with strategies that can be tailored to companies with any business plan or product. Instead of being intimidated and confused by patents, discover how to proactively work with a patent attorney to craft a customized patent strategy, thereby taking the mystery out of what can be an arduous, costly and complicated process. Topics include: The types of intellectual property Why invest in patent protection The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) examination processes Pre-filing procedures and considerations Prior art searching Choosing the type of application to file How to work with and find a patent attorney Drafting an invention disclosure Working with a patent attorney for drafting provisional and non-provisional patent applications Advanced patent strategies and how to leverage patent assets