Inventor Resources

Do you have an invention or discovery, but don't know what to do next? Need help with your patent or copyright?

The OTC team is here to protect the fruits of your research and promote their further development and commercialization. We have included many online resources, but protecting intellectual property or research is a complicated process.

The United States patent system is based upon a 'first to invent' system.

Why is this important?

Documentation is critical in providing evidence of your invention. We can show you how to properly document your discovery and avoid common pitfalls.

First, some key definitions.

Intellectual Property

Intellectual property can be protected through patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets.

Tangible Research Property. Tangible items produced in the course of research including such items as biological materials, engineering drawings, integrated circuit chips, computer databases, prototype devices, circuit diagrams, and equipment. Individual items of tangible research property may be associated with one or more intangible properties, such as inventions, copyrightable works and trademarks. An item of tangible research property may be the product of a single creator or a group of individuals who have collaborated on a project.

Invention. A process, method, discovery, device, plant, composition of matter, or other invention that reasonably appears to qualify for protection under United States patent law, Chip Design Protection law or plant protection schemes, whether or not actually patentable.

Copyrightable Work. An original work of authorship which has been fixed in any tangible medium of expression from which it can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device, such as books, journals, software, computer programs, musical works, dramatic works, videos, multimedia products, sound recordings, pictorial and graphical works, etc.

Trademark (including service mark). A distinctive word, design, or graphic symbol, or combination word and design, that distinguishes and identifies the goods and services of one party from those of another, such as names or symbols used in conjunction with plant varieties or computer programs.

FAQ's

How do I work with with the OTC to protect and commercialize my invention or discovery?

• We have developed a step-by-step overview of how we work with inventors.
• This downloadable flowchart illustrates the protection and commercialization process.

How do I disclose an invention to the OTC?

• You must submit a confidential Invention Disclosure form to begin the process. Contact us to obtain a username and password at (806) 742-4105).

Read more FAQ's