This is one of the first things inventors ask me after the initial non-provisional utility patent has been filed. In the following video I outline its journey through he U.S.P.T.O (which is often slow) and, unfortunately, usually ends up being rejected by the patent examiner whose job it is to establish the uniqueness of your invention.
Many DIY inventors believe this is the end of the road but actually this is not true. More in the video!
