A brilliantly clear and up-to-date patent guide

Patent law is changing, and this bestselling primer on patent law has up-to-date information on the America Invents Act, the most important change to American patent law in two centuries.

Packed with detailed information, Nolo's Patents for Beginners explains how to:

document your invention
acquire patent rights
"read" a patent application
understand how and why to make a patent search
determine patent ownership
find patent information
understand international patent law, and
decide whether to file a provisional patent.

Nolo's Patents for Beginners provides plain-English explanations of patent law, patent and invention resources and a glossary of patent terms. This edition is completely updated to cover all changes in patent law with the latest implications of recent federal patent law reform.