The Poor Man's Patent Is Obsolete Being the first to invent will no longer save you is someone else filed first. So even if you did write out the idea for your invention and mailed it to yourself, that date would not matter.
Under the “first to file” system, there exists no value in obtaining a Poor Man's Patent since it now only matters who filed for the patent first and not who came up with the idea first. Essentially, a Poor Man's Patent has about as much value today as the postage affixed to the envelope.
5 Important Steps To Draft And File A Patent Texas Document Your Invention. First and foremost, clearly document your invention to file a patent Texas. Choose Your Type Of Protection. Conduct A Through Patent Search. Evaluate Drafting And Filing Costs. Prepare Your Application.
Assuming that a patent is available for the subject matter of your concept, that's the way to prevent others from pursuing the same product concept. A trademark, however, is useful—and often crucial—when you are building a brand for your product or service.
The cheapest way to get a trademark is to file a state trademark application, which is typically less expensive than a federal trademark application.