How do I get a patent?

How do i get a temporary patent? i live in USA(California)?

• how can i get a temporary patent(and is it called a temporary patent?) how much would it cost? how does it work? how long would i have before having to file for a full patent? and is it a good idea to get a temporary patent? do i need a lawyer? and how do i file?

• Answer:

  All Patents are temporary (they last 20 years or so). There is no such thing as a temporary patent or a provisional patent. There ARE provisional patent APPLICATIONS. A provisional patent APPLICATION is only useful if it is prepared correctly AND if a regular Utility Patent Application is filed within one year of the filing of the provisional application. If you are asking these questions, then you don't know enough to file the application correctly. You need the assistance of a patent agent or patent attorney. You can find a patent professional near you by going to www.uspto.gov and using the site index to find the ATTORNEY AND AGENT ROSTER or ROSTER OF ATTORNEYS AND AGENTS. Search it by the first 3 digits of your zip code. That will give you a list of patent pros near you.