Patent Primer 4.0 is an overview of intellectual property protection (IP) in the U.S. and globally with a focus on patents and the patenting process. Patents provide one of the greatest competitive advantages of our time, putting the individual inventor on the same footing as corporate giants. The Patent Primer is what everyone needs before launching new product development and invention commercialization. It gives a quick overview of IP and brand building. The Primer describes the various paths to patent-protection and offers example of costs for a small entity to bring an invention to market-readiness with patent protection. The Primer is straight-forward, without legal jargon. The Primer includes major changes in U.S. patent laws & fees schedules through 2017.