For those who cannot afford to dish out thousands of dollars for a patent lawyer, do it yourself patents can be a great alternative. Do it yourself patents can be done if you are up to the challenge. It is not impossible although the biggest drawback on do it yourself patents is that you don't have the luxury of a professional advice.

There are some advantages on do it yourself patents that you cannot overlook though. Do it yourself patents could certainly save you money. Also, do it yourself patents enables you to learn several skills most especially in research. In do it yourself patents the most basic step is to make sure that your invention qualifies for a patent or what you call patentable. Also, if you want do it yourself patents you need to describe all aspects of your invention. Some steps on do it yourself patents are easy, others are more difficult. As with all new endeavors, you will succeed by trial and error. But by taking the process of do it yourself patents one step at a time, you can acquire a patent later on.

The following are the basic steps on do it yourself patents:
1. Keep a careful record of your invention. In do it yourself patents it is important to keep a record of the invention process in a notebook. Sign and date each entry and have two reliable witnesses sign as well.
2. Make sure your invention qualifies for patent protection. In do it yourself patents you need to show that your invention is new, non-obvious and useful.
3. Assess the commercial potential of your invention. Before you spend the time and money to file a patent application, you need to research the market you hope to enter.
4. Do a thorough patent search. To make sure your invention is new, you need to search all the earlier developments in your field. This involves searching U.S. (patents, as well as other publications like scientific and technical journals, to find related inventions.
5. Prepare and file an application with the USPTO. This step on do it yourself patents lets you have a choice when you file with the USPTO.

You can file a full-blown regular patent application (RPA) or you can file a provisional patent application (PPA) on the invention. Filing a PPA allows you to claim patent pending status for the invention but involves only a small fraction of the work and cost of a regular patent application. All that is required to file a PPA is a fee of $80 ($160 for large companies), a detailed description of the invention, telling how to make and use it, and an informal drawing.

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