Jack Lo

My term "narrow and deep" refers to those books which have a very narrowly defined subject, which is then covered in-depth. That is exactly the case with this book. You will not be able to pursue obtaining a patent using this book exclusively. Nolo, and other legal presses will be happy to sell you books that do cover the entire process (e.g., Patent It Yourself: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Filing at the U.S. Patent Office by the same author). You can also purchase inexpensive books produced show more by the USPTO that are "broader and shallower" (e.g., Patents and How to Get One: A Practical Handbook). But if what you want to do is learn, very specifically, about making patent drawings (most, not all, patents require detailed drawings), this is THE book.

This book is thorough in its definitions, making clear the differences between utility, design, and plant patent drawings. Plant patent drawing is not covered due to the rarity of these type of inventions (plants). Utility and design patent drawings are covered in separate chapters. The sole appendix consists of two "tear-out" forms: Petition for Submitting Color Photographs or Drawings; Submission of Corrected Drawings. The index is better than average with extensive sub-headings for "Utility patent drawings" and "Design patent drawings."

One of the selling points of this book is that patent drawings can be expensive. I am going out on a limb here, but this book appears to be appropriate for someone who may wish to actually engage in patent drawing as a profession. At the very least, this would be a great introduction to the field. I can't address how lucrative this area of potential entrepreneurship would be, but this is your textbook.

Disclaimer: The reviewer received a free copy of this book via the Amazon Vine Program. show less

Pros: practical and detailed guide
Cons: no insights or tips; straightforward re-packaging of the basic guidelines