Simply put, the invention disclosure form is used to explain the invention for intake into the steps to seek patent protection. A thorough understanding of how to make and use the new creation is of the utmost importance if it is to be claimed as intellectual property in the form of a patent. Completing the invention disclosure document and sending it also serves to document your intellectual property if it isn’t already in your inventors notebook. Additionally, the documentation of your invention helps if we are going to write, file, and prosecute a patent application for your creation.
We tell our inventors that the most important thing when working with a patent practitioner (patent agent or patent attorney) is to be sure that the one you work with understands your invention. The better your patent practitioner understands your invention, the better they can provide patent services to help you seek patent protection for your creation.
We use the answers to the questions on the disclosure form to begin our understanding of the invention and guide our discussions and next steps. The responses to the questions are related to all five of our steps to patenting. Links to detailed information about each of the five steps is available below. The steps are listed here in order with links to more information about each starting with the prior art search.
If timing is important, ask about available options for accelerating patent applications and their requirements. The USPTO discontinued the Accelerated Examination program for utility applications on July 10, 2025. Completing this disclosure form does not file a patent application or make an invention patent pending.
The invention disclosure process is easy and is just disclosure of the invention’s details to us. The following list are the questions that are presented on the downloadable invention disclosure form. The form can be opened and edited. There is no requirement to provide a response to a question if it is not applicable to your invention or the invention’s circumstances. You can skip any question, or preferably, enter “not applicable” and explain why the question is not applicable.
Example disclosure (fictional): A folding phone stand uses an adjustable hinge and a locking support arm to hold a phone at different angles. Describe the hinge, arm, materials, assembly, and how the lock operates; explain which features improve on existing stands. Include drawings, alternative designs, the inventors’ names, and any dates of public disclosure, offers for sale, or sales. This is a starting example, not a complete disclosure or patent application.
Inventor Note: We ask that you also provide any available drawings, sketches, photos, or videos of your invention with the major parts visible and/or described. While utility patents are not focused on the drawings, Carson Patents includes drawings with our patent application writing services. Additionally, it is helpful to have any available images or videos for understanding and to get the figures drawn if we get to work with you. Read more about how to write a patent application.
Carson Patents
The first thing to do is get your copy of the invention disclosure form downloaded. There is a button below with a link that will open a new tab and download the form. It is the recommended best practice for our inventor clients to save a copy and then complete it with as much description as possible.
The second thing to do is enter information about your creation. There are no limits on the length of text entry fields in the invention disclosure form. If more content is entered in any section, that section will scroll to enable viewing of the contents. You cannot over-disclose. The more description and detail provided, the better. Remember, the objective is to be sure your patent practitioner understands the invention
The last thing to do is send the form and any drawings, sketches, photos, or videos. It is important to note that most email systems default to limiting email to 25Mb of content or less. If you have many attachments, it may help to send more than one email. You can use the button below to start an email. You can email the form and your drawings, sketches, photos, or videos to anyone on our team.
