Welcome to the Carson Patents video library. Here you’ll find expert patent explainer videos covering every phase of the patent journey—from the basics of what a patent is, through conducting a prior art search, to filing and prosecuting your application. Browse the categories below to find the video that answers your question.
Patent Basics
Maintain an Inventor’s Notebook
Best practices for dated entries, witness signatures, and secure storage to document your invention process and establish priority. Maintain an Inventor’s Notebook.
What Is a Patent?
A clear overview of what constitutes a patent, its purpose, and the exclusive rights it grants to inventors. Patent Defined.
5 Steps to Patent
This video outlines Carson Patents’ streamlined process for securing a patent—from search and study to filing and prosecution. 5 Steps to Patent.
How to Invent Something
Discover a practical roadmap for turning ideas into inventions, covering brainstorming, prototyping, documentation, and early patent considerations. How to Invent Something
Do you Need a Patent
Find out whether pursuing a patent is the right move for your invention by weighing its uniqueness, commercial potential, and your long-term business goals. Do you Need a Patent
The 7 Types of Intellectual Property
Learn about the seven types of intellectual property and why each is essential for protecting innovation, brand identity, and creative works. The 7 Types of Intellectual Property
Patent Applicant
Learn who qualifies as a patent applicant, how inventorship is determined, and the impact of entity status on USPTO fees and filings. Patent Applicant
Patent Law
An overview of U.S. patent law, covering key statutes, USPTO procedures, and patentability requirements. Patent Law
Reduction to Practice
Learn what “reduction to practice” means in patent law, including how building a working prototype or filing a detailed application helps prove your invention’s operability and establish invention dates. Reduction to Practice
Can you Patent an Idea?
Find out the answer to the question, “can I patent an idea?” and learn if your idea is patent eligible subject matter that meets the rest of the patentability criteria. Can you Patent an Idea?
Entity Status and USPTO Fee Reduction
Gain insight on the different fee reductions the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) offers depending on the entity size of the patent applicant. Entity Status and USPTO Fee Reduction.
Patentability Defined
A concise summary of the criteria that determines whether an innovation or idea is eligible to be patented in the United States. Patentability Defined.
Prior Art & Patentability
The Importance of a Comprehensive Patentability Search
Learn how to conduct a thorough patentability search to assess novelty, avoid prior art conflicts, and make informed patenting decisions. The Importance of a Comprehensive Search.
Patenting Step 1 – Prior Art Search
Understand the importance of identifying relevant prior art before filing a patent through a comprehensive three-part search and expert consultation. Patent Step 1 – Prior Art Search
Patenting Step 2 – Patentability Study
Evaluate your invention’s patentability through a three-step process that includes a prior art search, expert opinion, and confidential consultation. Patent Step 2 – Patentability Study
Patenting Software
Learn how to navigate software patent eligibility, address §101 challenges, and draft strong claims to protect your software innovations through the USPTO. Patenting Software
Use of Chatbots for Patent Searching
Discover how AI-powered chatbots can streamline prior art and patentability searches, enhancing efficiency while highlighting the need for expert validation. Use of Chatbots for Patent Searching
Patentability Defined
Understand what makes an invention patentable by exploring the key requirements of novelty, non-obviousness, utility, and subject matter eligibility. Patentability Defined
What Kinds of Inventions are Patentable
Learn what types of inventions qualify for patent protection, including processes, machines, manufactures, and compositions of matter—and what subject matter is excluded. Patentable Inventions
Patent Filing Strategy
How to Write a Patent Application
Learn how to write each section of a U.S. utility patent application clearly and correctly, following USPTO formatting and legal standards. How to Write a Patent Application
Patenting Step 3 – Patent Application Writing
Discover how Carson Patents expertly drafts complete patent applications—including forms, specifications, claims, and abstracts—to meet all USPTO requirements. Patent Step 3 – Patent Application Writing
Patenting Step 4 – Patent Application Filing
Learn how Carson Patents ensures accurate and complete patent filings with the USPTO, guiding inventors through every required document to secure a proper filing date. Patent Step 4 – Patent Application Writing
Provisional Patent Applications Video Guide
Learn how a provisional patent application secures an early “patent pending” date, provides up to 12 months of protection, and lets you refine your invention before filing a full application. Provisional Patent Applications
The Benefits of Design Patents
Learn how design patents protect the unique appearance of your products, enhance brand value, and deter copycats with cost-effective intellectual property coverage. The Benefits of Design Patents
Patent Pending Defined
Understand what “patent pending” means, when you can use the term, and how it signals that a patent application has been filed but not yet granted. Patent Pending Defined
Utility Patent Application Services
Gain insight on the patent application process for utility inventions, including what kinds of innovations fall under the protection of a utility patent. Utility Patent Application Services.
Design Patent Application Services
Gain insight on the patent application process for design innovations, including what kinds of inventions fall under the protection of a design patent. Design Patent Application Services.
Patent Application Process Explained
Understanding the Patent Process
Get a step-by-step overview of conducting patent searches, choosing and filing the right application, and navigating the USPTO examination and office actions. Understanding the Patent Process
How to Secure a Patent Guide
This guide walks first-time inventors through the full patent process—search, evaluation, drafting, filing, and prosecution—to help protect and bring their ideas to market. How to Secure a Patent Guide
Patent Issuance Timeline
Learn how long it typically takes to get a patent, what factors influence the timeline, and how to potentially speed up the process with USPTO options. Patent Issuance Timeline
Patent Prosecution
Patenting Step 5 – Patent Prosecution
This phase focuses on responding to USPTO office actions and examiner feedback to move applications forward, using strategic communication and legal expertise to secure patent approval. Patent Step 5 – Patent Prosecution
What to Expect in the Utility Patent Application Process
This guide outlines the steps of the utility patent process and sets clear expectations for remote collaboration with a USPTO-registered patent attorney. What to Expect in the Utility Patent Application Process
What to Expect in the Design Patent Application Process
This guide covers a five-step process for securing design patents, including prior art search, drafting, and prosecution, emphasizing clear visual representations and concise specifications. What to Expect in the Design Patent Application Process
Patent Examiner Interviews
Learn how to schedule and conduct strategic interviews with USPTO examiners to clarify application issues, address objections, and accelerate prosecution. Patent Examiner Interviews
Accelerating Patent Applications
Discover strategies to fast-track your patent application, including Track One prioritized examination, petitions to make special, and Patent Prosecution Highway options. Accelerating Patent Applications
Costs & Budgets
Invention Patenting Costs
Transparent estimates for utility, design, and plant patents—from $5,900 to $10,000—with stage-by-stage breakdowns and discounts for veterans and micro-entities. Invention Patenting Costs
Entity Status and USPTO Fee Reduction
Learn about USPTO entity status—micro, small, and large—including qualification criteria and how each status impacts your patent filing and maintenance fees. Entity Status and USPTO Fee Reduction
Post‑Grant & Maintenance
Patent Term Adjustment vs Extension
Learn how to extend your patent’s life with USPTO-granted Patent Term Adjustment (PTA) and regulatory Patent Term Extension (PTE), plus international term-extension practices. Patent Term Adjustment vs Extension
Advanced Strategies & Enforcement
Patent Litigation
Explore how patent litigation enforces patent rights, addresses infringement and disputes, and highlights alternatives like licensing and ADR for protecting innovations. Patent Litigation
The Role of Patents in Startups and Small Businesses
Learn how patents boost credibility, attract investors, and provide a competitive edge, with key tips for aligning patent strategies with business goals. The Role of Patents in Startups and Small Businesses
Questioning Patent Validity
Learn how issued patents can be challenged for invalidity through USPTO proceedings like post-grant review, inter-partes review, and ex-parte reexamination. Questioning Patent Validity
The Intersection of Antitrust and Patent Law
Explore how antitrust regulations intersect with patent enforcement, covering competition concerns, permissible licensing practices, and strategies to avoid antitrust pitfalls. The Intersection of Antitrust and Patent Law
Licensing Agreement Types
Explore the main IP licensing structures—exclusive, non-exclusive, and cross-licenses—and how each aligns with different business objectives and risk tolerances. Licensing Agreement Types
Licensing Agreement Advantages and Disadvantages
Discover the key benefits and risks of IP licensing, from generating passive revenue and market reach to managing reputation and contract challenges. Licensing Agreement Advantages and Disadvantages
Determine Patent Value
Learn how to evaluate a patent’s value based on factors like market potential, enforceability, licensing opportunities, and legal strength. Determine Patent Value
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