Does anyone have experience with inventions/patents?

Question

I have a GREAT invention idea- it's actually an innovation because it would use existing technology in a new and very useful, simple way. Everyone I have told about it says it's a winner. I have an engineering background from college and I know it could work.

My question is what do I do now? Money doesn't grow on trees and the patent attorney I spoke with said it is a long and expensive process- I could pitch it to a company but I would need to protect it first- being that it borrows on other technologies (possible conflicts?) I wouldn't know how to go about it. Any suggestions are appreciated. Can I tell someone and have them run with it for an overide - I just fear they would steal it. Can I patent a process/concept?

Answer 1

From the article "How to Protect Your Idea or Intellectual Property" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol81/protectidea.htm here are some steps you need to take:

1. Consult a patent lawyer and check if your idea can be patented.
2. Keep extensive records tracking the development of your idea.
3. Conduct an extensive research to find out if there are similar patents.
4. Document where, how and to whom you showed your idea.
5. Do your own market research if your idea is marketable
6. Explore the possibility of developing the product yourself, or licensing someone else to make the product for you.

To bring your idea to market, here are some tips from the article "How to Get Your Consumer Invention to Market" http://www.powerhomebiz.com/012006/invention.htm

Getting Started:

- The Ideabook = Keep a bound ideabook of your invention idea. Date your entries.
- Get it Notarized = get it officially confirmed that you conceived your invention idea on a particular date, and have your notes notarized.
- Seek and Search = Do your own patent search to ascertain if your invention is original and prospectively patentable.
- Create the Initial Prototype = Use simple materials to rig it up, to see if it works.
- Get Educated = Educate yourself on the inventing process. Go to a bookstore or inventorhelp.com and review the plethora of books written on the subject.
- The Non-Disclosure Form = Agreement signed between you and anyone you reveal your invention to.

Moving Ahead

- Analyze Costs to Produce = Ascertain what the costs will be.
- The Evaluation Process = Analyze the benefits and features, strengths and weaknesses of your invention.
- Get a Professional Prototype = Have professional prototypes made, the quality of which can be shown to potential retail buyers.
- Protect Your Idea = Apply for a provisional patent yourself.
- The Non-Provisional Patent = Your patent attorney files your non-provisional patent application.

Options for Marketing

- Licensing = The inventor has the choice to license the invention to a manufacturer in exchange for a royalty percentage in sales.
- Manufacturing = Manufacturing and distributing your invention entails higher financial risk but can reap greater profits.

Here are some books that can help you:

From Patent to Profit by Bob De Matteis
Protecting Your #1 Asset : Creating Fortunes from Your Ideas : An Intellectual Property Handbook
Patents and How to Get One : A Practical Handbook
How to Register Your Own Trademark : With Forms
Patent It Yourself
Protecting Your Ideas : The Inventor's Guide to Patents

Answer 2

Getting a patent is definitely where to start. One way to lower your costs is to find a patent agent rather than an attorney. An agent can prosecute patents before the USPTO like an attorney. The difference is that an attorney can litigate when there's a lawsuit; an agent can't. At least have an application pending before you approach other companies. They may still rip off your idea, but then you can force them to license it (you'd probably have to get lawyers involved for that though).

As to your other question, yes a process can be patented. It's generally known as a method patent. As far as patenting a concept goes, that's a very broad word and it's hard to answer without more detail which I imagine you don't want to give. My advice is to find an agent and find out.

Answer 3

FYI, patents are only useful if you are willing to defend them. If you have something, and you really want to pursue it, I'd start the filing process, but you're biggest advantage is not the patent itself. It's the headstart that you have on the thousands of people who will try to rip you off.
Just because you patents something doesn't mean someone can't rip you off. They can. All you can do is take them to court for it. If you get stuck in that situation, you're done. Patent litigation is a long long process, and in the meantime you'll have lost your business.
Instead, I'd work to market it as quickly as possible. Getting the ideas is a lot of times the easiest part. Getting a market for them is much harder. Once you have your foot in the market, keep innovating to stay ahead.

Answer 4

TELL NO ONE.

First and foremost. Send the idea to yourself in registered certified mail. Sign for it and put it UNOPENED in a safety deposit box.

This is only to protect yourself during the patent process.

The Patent process is not as bad as you may think and you do not need a lawyer to accomplish it.

FORGET about these "help you patent it" sources some people may try to tell you about. Finding a legitimate one is hard work.

GO HERE:
http://www.uspto.gov/main/patents.htm

United States Patent and Trademark Office.

To compete in the global on line marketplace, they have been improving their services.

Answer 5

I have never tried to paton something i just know it takes FOREVER.

Answer 6

y do u ask?