If you are an inventor or entrepreneur who wants to understand how to use the patent system to help fulfill your business goals, this book is for you.

This book won't teach you how to write a patent application. What it will teach you are the most important principles to understand about patent applications, and about the patent system, if you want to protect your patentable ideas effectively and efficiently--and avoid wasting time and money.

You will learn:

• What you might already be doing without realizing it that can jeopardize your chances of ever getting a patent
• How to determine if you can get a patent on your invention
• Why a patent may or may not be important for your particular business goals
• When to file a patent application, and at what point you should get an attorney involved
• How to avoid making the patenting mistakes that even smart entrepreneurs make every day

"It's not always wise for entrepreneurs to rush to get a patent, but they should rush to get this book to learn about patents! Learn the process, spend your money wisely, and apply for a patent at the right time, and for the right reasons."
--Barbara Corcoran, Founder of The Corcoran Group, ABC's Shark Tank investor, and Author of Shark Tales

"Finally a book that walks you through the patent process in plain English!"
--Frank Kern, Entrepreneur and Internet Marketing Expert

"Rich Goldstein has succeeded in explaining the important information every inventor and entrepreneur needs to know before deciding whether to file for patent protection on their idea or invention. The information is presented in a down to earth, straight forward, and conversational manner so that non-patent professionals can make sound business decisions when considering if and how to protect their important intellectual property."
--Nicholas P. Godici, Former Commissioner for Patents of the USPTO and Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property

"Goldstein demystifies with simple language and examples from everyday life. You have the sense that he is there talking to you in your living room. Reading this book will leave you fully informed about how patents work."
--James Pooley, Former Deputy Director General of WIPO and Manager of the international patent system for the UN

"DIY patenting is a disaster, but money-is-no-object patenting is not much better. Smart entrepreneurs (and smart patent attorneys) know that the more that inventors and entrepreneurs know about the patent system, the better the outcomes for everyone. Rich Goldstein has deep experience helping inventors get the patents they need, and avoiding the ones they do not. If you want to know about patenting, you should read his book. Clear, thorough, but jargon free, it will help you understand the patent system, work effectively with your patent attorney to get good patents, and avoid weak and excessively expensive ones."
--Neil Milton, Author of Intellectual Property Law For Dummies

"Hey inventors, forget do-it-yourself patent applications and kits! Been there, done that. But being informed about the what, where, when and why of the patent application process is key. What I like best about the ABA Consumer Guide to Obtaining a Patent is that this is not a "how-to" book. Rather, it lays out what anyone serious about their invention should know in order to make the best possible decisions about how to proceed. Educated inventors make the best clients for patent lawyers and this book teaches you enough to be a great client, which helps keep fees down. Buying this book might be one of the most successful investments you've ever made."
--Kevin Lee, founder of Didit and CEO of We-Care.com

"The ABA Consumer Guide to Obtaining a Patent is a fun and stimulating read. The author's years of listening to inventors resonates throughout this book. Our country was built on innovation and this book will help innovators make good decisions. Whether an entrepreneur, a new inventor or a seasoned pro, this book is a 'must have'. A down to earth resource that can help those who may not know where to start as well as those who strategize."
--Donna P. Suchy, Chair, The American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law

"Rich Goldstein and the ABA provide a much-needed and lucid patent guide for entrepreneurs and innovators, translating often complex and jargon-filled patent arcana into clear and digestible concepts. The ABA Consumer Guide to Obtaining a Patent is a great handbook for laypeople to understand the requirements, process, and also the benefits and limitations of patents for protecting and exploiting innovation."
--Wayne Sobon, Past President of The American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA), Owner of Wayne Sobon Consulting

"Rich has done an excellent job developing an easy to read guide to patenting for today's entrepreneurs and innovators. Unlike patenting handbooks, this guide does not confine itself to how to get a patent, but also expends significant energy on why get a patent. The discussions relating to the business of intellectual property, e.g. licensing, attracting investors, monetization, and so on, are critical to understanding the place patents occupy in supporting economic development, innovation and entrepreneurship. I highly recommend this guide to patent novices and experts alike."
--Phyllis T. Turner-Brim, Vice President and Chief IP Counsel, Intellectual Ventures

"A great resource and guide for everyone interested in patents, in learning how the patent system works, and in practical, business oriented answers to the many, many questions that come up from the start to the finish of protecting an inventi