Having an original idea for a new product or process is exciting. Many inventors describe the stroke of genius moment of developing a new invention. It's natural to want to share it with the world, but you should usually patent it first.nnUnder U.S. patent law, you must file your patent application within one year of the first offer to sell the invention or within one year of your first public use or disclosure of your invention. For example, you'd want to file the patent before pitching it on Shark Tank.