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 OneProduced 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.