It’s a dilemma that perplexes many an inventor: You want to make sure that no one steals your great idea. At the same time, you’re reluctant to spend $5,000 to $10,000 – or even more – to file a full-fledged patent application through a patent attorney. Maybe you need more time to explore the commercial possibilities of your invention before committing the big bucks. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to resolve this dilemma. You can file a provisional patent application, which will safeguard your claim for up to a year. This is a do-it-yourself procedure that lets you buy time
