If two or more persons make an invention jointly, they apply for a patent as joint inventors. A person who makes a financial contribution is not a joint inventor and cannot be joined in the application as an inventor. -from Patents and How to Get One Produced by the Patent and Trademark Office and written in clear language that doesn't require a lawyer to interpret, this is an important resource for inventors looking to protect their valuable work. This step-by-step guide to the patent process answers all your questions: . What is a patent? . What can be patented? . Who may apply for a patent? . What specifications, models, or exhibits must accompany a patent application? . How long does a patent application take? . How can denied applications be appealed? . What rights are granted by a patent? . and many others.