How do I avail myself of the services of the Baylor Innovation Evaluation program without risking the loss of someone stealing the idea?
If you are concerned, you can file a provisional application for patent. Effective February 1, 2007, the Disclosure Document Program has been eliminated. See Changes To Eliminate the Disclosure Document Program, 71 Fed. Reg. 64636 (Nov. 3, 2006), 1312 Off. Gaz. Pat. Office 137 (Nov. 28, 2006)(final rule). The Office is no longer accepting disclosure documents. Inventors may file a provisional application for patent rather than a disclosure document. A provisional application for patent provides more benefits and protections to inventors than a disclosure document and can be used for the same purposes as a disclosure document if necessary. The requirements for filing a provisional application are set forth in 35 U.S.C. 111(b) and 37 CFR 1.53(c). A nonprovisional application must be filed within twelve months of the filing date of a provisional application in order for the inventor to claim the benefit of the provisional application under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)(3). For more information on how
