Even in a recession, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office keeps busy. Since 1996, the annual number of patent filings has jumped 130% to 485,000 last year.
But what some consider innovation, others might call a boondoggle–especially given the prohibitive costs of papering a patent.
In the best-case scenario (where an application gets stamped, sealed and approved on the first try), inventors pony up about $15,000, assuming they hire a skilled patent attorney.
Apparatus for Facilitating the Birth of a Child by Centrifugal Force
Patent No. 3,216,423
Combination Pillow and Crash Helmet
Patent No. 3,538,508
Pneumatic Shoe Lacing Apparatus
Patent No. 5,205,055
Fresh-Air Breathing Device and Method
Patent No. 4,320,756
Photo by USPTO.
