Generally, disclosure information is the basic outline that a patent attorney uses in preparing a patent application.
Carefully prepared disclosures are necessary for a well-prepared patent application and a good, solid patent. Following this discussion, you will find an Invention Disclosure Form that can help you assemble the information necessary to prepare a formal disclosure document.
To illustrate the information needed for the form, let's assume that you have invented a steerable parachute. The following basic details should be included in the disclosure:
OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION: What is it supposed to accomplish? For a steerable parachute, you might write: "To allow a person or object to float safely down from a great height to a specific landing site without damage; to allow a parachutist to direct his descent to a desired landing spot."
DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION: How would you describe its function? For the steerable parachute, you might write: "A parachute that has a continually adjustable venting system that is controlled by the user. This venting system allows the chute to spill air pressure in a desired pattern that affects the rate and direction of its descent."
FEATURES OF THE INVENTION: What makes it unique and patentable? Here you would describe how your steerable chute differs from a nonsteerable chute: how the venting system works and how the actual mechanics of the new system work.
COMPARISON WITH EXISTING TECHNOLOGY: What are the differences that are patentable? Your parachute is steerable; others are not.
USES OF THE INVENTION: How would it be used, and what are its markets? In the steerable parachute example, you might describe potential uses by the military and sport parachutists.
IMPORTANCE OF THE INVENTION: Why is it worth developing? In the case of the steerable parachute, you could point out that it could save lives in combat and enhance sport parachuting.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: What discoveries led to the invention; what prompted development of the idea; what was the need?
INVENTOR IDENTIFICATION: This should include all pertinent information, including your name and address.
You should make each section of the disclosure as detailed as possible. Disclosures typically require five to twenty typewritten pages. Give as detailed of a description as possible on what the invention does, how it operates, and how it is better than existing technology. Your patent attorney will use only the information you give him in preparing the patent search and application. The patent attorney will not add information to your disclosure, even if he or she thinks it is obvious, given
the information you already have. If an attorney gave you information to add to your invention, then he or she technically would become a co-inventor on the patent application.
Another reason why you must give considerable thought to the disclosure information is that it will form the limits of the patent protection. Thus, you should always try to imagine the widest possible uses or applications for your concept. Also try to include every possible way the same goal might be accomplished, using different methods within the scope of your concept. This will save you from disappointment when another patent is issued that cleverly supersedes your patent by doing the same thing in a slightly more novel manner.
The same disclosure document that you prepare for your patent attorney can be submitted to the Disclosure Document program of the U.S. Patent Office. This is a good procedure to follow to ensure a dated, secure disclosure of a concept if your actual patent application is delayed because of financial setbacks.
When you fill out an Invention Disclosure Form, be sure to have a witness sign and date it before you submit it to any third party.
