DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have an idea for an invention but I don’t know what I should do legally. I also need to have someone build my invention, and I don’t know where to go after I have it built. I hope I have provided you with enough information. Thank you for your wonderful service, I enjoy it very much. — No Name via email

ANSWER: The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has been in the news lately, because of a recent change in how patents are awarded. It used to be that patents were granted based on who could show they first began work on the invention; now they will be awarded as to who files the patent first.

Filing a patent is an extremely complicated and potentially expensive process. Sun Spots looked into it a few years ago for herself and was quickly overwhelmed. Mr. Sun Spots took a course on filing a patent that he found useful, so you might want to try that. In any case, be prepared to spend hours online reading at www.uspto.gov.

At www.uspto.gov/web/patents/howtopat.htm you can find some basic information and links to other sites.

The first step is to search the patent files and make sure no one has beaten you to your idea. You can hire a patent attorney to do so for you, or you can visit www.uspto.gov/patents/process/search/index.jsp and do a preliminary search yourself.

Keep in mind that just because you don’t find your invention doesn’t mean it hasn’t already been patented. The patent office does a much more thorough search before a patent is granted.

As for building your invention, without some idea of what it is, Sun Spots cannot be of much help. One possible option, depending on what you have in mind, is a provisional application (http://tinyurl.com/bvvsn5m).

“Since June 8, 1995, the USPTO has offered inventors the option of filing a provisional application for patent which was designed to provide a lower cost first patent filing in the United States and to give U.S. applicants parity with foreign applicants. … Provisional application provides the means to establish an early effective filing date in a patent application and permits the term ‘Patent Pending’ to be applied in connection with the invention. Provisional applications may not be filed for design inventions.”

This will give you a chance to complete a thorough patent application. But you can’t dilly-dally: “A provisional application will become abandoned by the operation of law 12 months from its filing date. The 12-month pendency for a provisional application is not counted toward the 20-year term of a patent granted on a subsequently filed non-provisional application which claims benefit of the filing date of the provisional application.”

A search for “patent” turns up numerous organizations offering help with your patent. Don’t be fooled. The official patent office is at www.uspto.gov.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have written you several times now and always got answers. Now I come to you in hopes that you can help one more time. How would one report treason? I know it is against federal law and know of some that are committing it in Washington. Any help you have would be great. Thank you and keep up the good work.— No Name via email

ANSWER: Treason is rather limited (for example, divulging classified information to an enemy of the United States) and does not apply to politicians doing a lousy job, but if you want to report something to the FBI, you can email their tip line at https://tips.fbi.gov/. Or you can contact the nearest FBI office, which is in Boston: Suite 600, One Center Plaza, Boston, MA 02108, boston.fbi.gov, 617-742-5533.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: About 25 to 30 years ago I recall driving through Norway and South Paris and seeing a man standing on the sidewalk completely dressed in white: white shoes and hat, and even his face was covered with a white substance. My first thought was that he was some sort of an advertisement, not unlike the cigar store Indian.

A friend of mine from the area said he was known as the White Russian by local folks.

Do any of your readers know any history surrounding this fellow? Thanks. — Arthur Lawrence, Lisbon Falls

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].