To apply for a patent, you must file an application and pay required fees. All it takes is a simple phone call.In 1877, Erlman J. Wright received a patent for a clip that was specially designed for fastening leaves of paper together. Resources are available for Michigan residents to help inventors and entrepreneurs learn more about protecting their intellectual property. In addition to the common paper clip, other clips have been proposed, such as disclosed in the accompanying prior art statement. I'm back from Michigan and what a fun time! Assume that all paper clips are sold in boxes containing 100 paper clips. The Central Michigan University Research Corporation (CMURC) will do a commercial assessment of your invention. 3. Instructors can adapt the contents of the Online Music Anthology as a music history textbook and anthology.