Is Your Idea Patentable? Are Patents a Waste of Money and Time?

Many business builders who are seeking protection from competitors via the U.S. Patent Office have found the experience frustrating and disappointing. To improve the situation, Congress recently passed a law that will significantly modify the patent process.  In part, the law will switch the U.S. from a first-to-invent system to a first-to-file system in effort to expedite the process as well as to align the U.S. Patent System with the patent regulations of foreign countries.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alanhall/2012/07/22/is-your-idea-patentable-are-patents-a-waste-of-time-and-money/