Inventing is a challenging task. Before you bring the invention to market, it is wise to take the appropriate steps to insure that you protect your invention. The most important protection that you can get is a patent. Intellectual property law is complex. Obtaining a patent can be expensive and usually requires the services of a patent attorney, who can walk you through the steps of evaluating your product, and assist you in the patent acquisition process. This guide is intended to give you an overview of the steps needed to acquire a U.S. patent.