A laboratory (R&D) notebook is a complete legal document recording your work . Laboratory notebooks are vital in proving that you conducted the research and developed the "value-added." A properly kept laboratory is invaluable in proving the right to own a related patent, especially in the United States where patents are assigned on a "first to invent" basis, rather than on a "first to file" system that is in effect in other parts of the world.

Note: Electronic laboratory notebooks are becoming more widely used, but electronic records are not currently as effective as evidence of invention (as they can easily altered). Any electronic records should be printed out and affixed to your laboratory notebook.

One thing to remember, the more details you include in your notebook, the better chance you will have of successfully proving you were "first to invent" if someone else tries to patent your invention.

For a list of key items to include in you R&D notebook, click here