Discussion: Patents

6Negotiations, Intellectual Property, and E-Commerce

6.2 - Discussion: Patents

Your Invention

You have created a device that will be placed on restaurant tables. It will replace paper menus and waitpeople and be used in the Human Resources department. The device streams the daily menu. The menu displays daily choices and visual representations of how the selections are prepared and cooked. The device is voice-activated, allowing the diner to order meals and suggest options or additions to the items. In addition, the display covers a 360-degree view of your table and has recording upload and download capabilities that record your table party activity for customers’ future enjoyment. You can upload the interactive video to your mobile device or the cloud. You can upload the event to the restaurant’s “MealTime” website and share it with friends and family subscribers. The device also contains a payment system that allows customers to order and pay at the table with a customer’s mobile device.

In addition, the invention will enable customers at home or in transit to order and pay for takeout or schedule a delivery or pickup. Your invention Device also contains an algorithm designed to integrate HR background searches and personality traits of prospective employee hires. The algorithm measures the compatibility of potential future hires against critical Human Resource initiatives and psychological measurements. The algorithm has a high rate of eliminating applicants that the Device’s AI determines are unsuitable for employment. Sally asks, “Can we patent this Device, and how?”

Review the following:

· US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)Links to an external site.

· Patent FAQ Page (USPTO)Links to an external site.  

Post and Reply

Review the USPTO links above, analyze, and Post your responses to the 12 questions in the Discussion. Remember to include each question with your answers:

· Should you file for a patent for the device you invented?

· How does obtaining a patent impact the business?

· What is a patent?

· What are the advantages of filing a patent?

· What types of patents are available?

· Which category does your invention fall in?

· Who can apply for a patent?

· What can and cannot be patented?

· How long does patent protection last?

· How much does it cost to get a patent?

· How does a patent protect intellectual property?

· Is the integration algorithm design that combines HR background searches and personality traits of prospective employees intrusive to the privacy of applicants?