The process of turning a great idea into a patented invention can be lengthy. Christine McAuliffe, a registered patent attorney with Phoenix-based Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, recommends that potential clients do their own research to see if their product already exists. McAuliffe estimated that 90 percent of the time, the patent office will object to it, so she does research to be sure someone's invention has a chance before taking the plunge. .