I created this great chapstick, should I patent it?

[Curious]

Like I said I created this really great chapstick with a bunch of all natural ingredients. I was hoping to start selling it and marketing it. My question is should I patent it, and if so how should I go about doing that?

[Poodie]

Chapstick is already patented. I hope this helps.

[falsi fiable]

Good luck. Chapstick is already a registered trademark.

Most people need an experienced attorney to obtain a patent. If you want to go it alone, knock yourself out! http://uspto.gov

[Hannah]

Yes!! Patent is good... Bigger companies can steal it if you don't patent. And it can't hurt right? Also, sell at a local farmers market. Lots of artists, artisans and yummy food makers go there. So you can eat and buy stuff while you sell your cool invention thing. I hope you do well! ) what are you going to call it?

[bcnu]

You can patent an invention, including an improvement, that is a chemical composition, such as a lip balm. Your invention would need to be "new and non-obvious" as compared to anything ever used in public or described in any publication anywhere in the world in any language, and any equivalents.

You can sometimes file an inexpensive "provisional application" that reserves your rights for up to a year, then use that year to find investors willing to fund the $10,000 necessary to actually file a "real" patent application, with an "enabling disclosure" of your "best mode" of making the invention.