18.0 Invention, Intellectual Property and Income¶
I spent a little time looking at the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s Website, and I feel the best thing for me (if I were to pursue a long-term committment to this project) would be to apply for a provisional patent. Over the past two decades, I have worked with students who were indeed inventors. The idea of patents never really came up with them, until about a decade ago. I found the whole experience of patent discussions distasteful, but I do understand the need for one. I have seen first-hand an idea that my students began to develop and then become fully developed by someone else. This happened at least three times in my career.
By applying for a provisional patent, the 12-month time frame would give me time to develop and test the SpaceX Launch Alert. It would also give me time to seek the needed “permissions” from others who may have contributed to the project (and speak to someone at SpaceX?). The 12-months would also give me time to become financially prepared and committed for a patent.