Patent Yogi One of best is a company that specializes in the provision of quality service to individuals. If you have a valuable invention, you probably should get a patent. A Provisional patent is an ideal way of protecting most inventions. There are exceptions. Some innovations are better protected as a secret, such as hidden methods. Creative expressions such as books or songs are best protected by registering a copyright. But for most services, a patent is required to sell innovation. The best time to apply for a patent is before you reveal your idea or sell it. For almost all nations, you forfeit your ability to patent your invention the moment you disclose it or offer it for sale. The one major exception is the US, where you have 12 months after disclosure or sale to apply for a patent. But in other countries, as soon as you disclose, you can't file for a patent.