I feel I have a great invention but I'm not a scientist or a manufacturer. How does one get their ideas produced & in stores without being ripped off?
2006-09-05 02:25:08 · 9 answers · asked by headusher 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
wait for someone else to do it, or spend about $9000 hiring an attorney or contact a patent company, and let them do the leg work for you.
of course you could always dedicate a good part of your life to doing the leg work yourself and save a few bucks.
contact the US patent agency and see what you need to protect the idea.
there's a great website that may also help. visit start up nation and see what they can tell you.
2006-09-05 03:00:01 · answer #1 · answered by continentalprintingsupplies 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing you need to do is get a patent on your idea and don't do anything or be telling anyone until you have your patent. The patent protects you from someone else trying to rip you off by using your idea. If your idea was a new type door knob, others may pick up on the idea and make them also, but they will have to pay you to use your idea.
You also need to discuss this with an attorney. Myself or anyone else on Yahoo answers can give you a lot of good advice, but also get legal advice.
You need to decide if you plan to produce your invention or do you want to sublet the work out. (Only after you have it patented)
Draw up the plans and for example if you needed motors for your idea, contact manufactures and get bids for producing your idea. You may have numerous contracts for the parts required to be produced.
If you want to do your own assembly, set up in your garage or basement and get family or friends to help. Put them on a wage when you have the money coming. Expand and grow as your business grows. Most bankers are savvy on making sure you do not try and grow too fast.
Later expand into a larger facility. You could perhaps sell on eBay and handle sales right out of your home computer, depending on what it is you are producing.
Good Luck,
Darryl S.
2006-09-05 02:43:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To protect an original invention OR a significant improvement to an existing product, a patent would be filed. Here's the USPTO's definition: http://www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/doc/general/index.html#patent
NOLO is a great, free informational site. Also, be sure to read what the USPTO (United States Patent & Trademark Office) has to say about patents.
Associations may be a good avenue to explore. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.
Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can. Here are some book titles that are relevant:
Getting a Patent:
* Patent It Yourself (11th Edition) by David Pressman
* Patents and How to Get One : A Practical Handbook by U.S. Department of Commerce
* How To Make Patent Drawings Yourself: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Jack Lo
* The Inventor's Notebook: A Patent It Yourself Companion by Fred E. Grissom
What to do Next:
* From Patent To Profit: Secrets & Strategies For The Successful Inventor, Third Edition by Bob Dematteis
* How to License Your Million Dollar Idea: Everything You Need To Know To Turn a Simple Idea into a Million Dollar Payday, 2nd Edition by Harvey Reese
* The Inventor's Bible: How to Market and License Your Brilliant Ideas by Ronald Louis Docie
* The Complete Idiot's Guide ® to Cashing in On Your Inventions by Richard Levy
There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.
Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!
2006-09-05 05:42:54 · answer #3 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great book- "24hrs To Patent Pending". Good start to the process. Patent pending gives your idea some protection while you test it's commercial viabilty.
2006-09-05 02:33:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
institutions could be a good highway to discover. those companies will address lots of the ideas, questions and concerns you will inevitably have as properly as many you haven't any longer expected yet. See the source container for some appropriate hyperlinks. desire that facilitates! I want you lots fulfillment & happiness in all your ventures!
2016-09-30 08:55:01 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try working towards it be your own producer and see what people think about your products.
2006-09-05 02:56:46 · answer #6 · answered by Pinada 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
work, research, dig, try and do it yourself. build it yourself.
you could consider drawing and patenting.
2006-09-05 02:28:00 · answer #7 · answered by BonesofaTeacher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard work.
2006-09-05 02:27:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
that easy... you need $ and a lot of it
2006-09-05 03:19:49 · answer #9 · answered by jaymay2008 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋