dictionary as a system - as a patent?

[ssddgreg]

Slovenia (EU)

Hi,

I am currious abour patent registration. In Slovenia, a patent is understood as a "technical problem solving" solution.

In my case I am having an online german phonetic dictionary that dynamically connects to the TTS (Text to Speech) Engine, it can offer testing for those external TTS services, it has a searchable system of two different phonetic transcriptions (IPA, SAMPA2) - the latter is my own interoperable invention that works on any platform and reacts to any Query, but it can also search for accent and sylablle devisions (that is new to the lexicography).

What would be the chances of protecting such dictionary as a system under US Patent Laws?

Can anybody assists me how to present my work, so that it could be registered as a patent?

I am an undergraduate student and fully of ideas and innovative approaches -- but I have never went into the legal issues - e.g. patent registration.

I look forward to hear from anybody to help me with this issues.

Cheers,

Dean

 

[racer72]

Fill a large suitcase full of cash, US currency only. Small bill will be okay, large bills are better. Do a Google search of US patent attorneys and pick one that you like. Give him your idea and the suitcase full of cash. In about 7 years after filing for the patent, you will get an answer as to whether your patent is accepted.

 

[divgradcurl]

I think racer72's reply is somewhat on the bleak side. Patent attorneys and agents deal with foreign inventors all of the time, so there is nothing really unusual about your request. And very, very rarely will a patent take 7 years to issue -- most take around 3 -- and even then, you will get some preliminary info from the patent office with 6 months to a year.

In any event,

What would be the chances of protecting such dictionary as a system under US Patent Laws?

Impossible to say. Whether or not an invention is patentable in the U.S. will depend on whether it is novel (i.e., whether or not you are the first to invent it) and whether or not it is patentable subject matter to begin with (software patents are OK in the U.S.).

Can anybody assists me how to present my work, so that it could be registered as a patent?

As racer72 noted, you could use google to find a registered patent attorney or patent agent to help you. You can use either an agent or an attorney -- an agent will likely be cheaper. You could also search here: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/dcom/olia/oed/roster/index.html, but google might be a better choice.

However, you are likely better off contacting a patent agent or attorney in your own country -- oftentimes, a patent agent locally will work with a patent agent in the U.S. to obtain a patent, that might be easier for you. In addition, if you are interested in filing in other countries as well, you could file a PCT application through your local country's patent office, or through the EU patent office, and then have the U.S. as a "designated country." Again, in this case, probably your best bet is to start with a local patent agent or attorney.