I just just have a really good idea fom the product. Also how can i find out if the company has already thought of my idea?
2006-11-08 14:17:33 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Corporations
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
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!
2006-11-09 04:21:32 · answer #1 · answered by TM Express™ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the product is already being sold, you cannot patent it.
If you have a really good idea for a new product that is NOT yet being sold, it is a good idea to patent it before presenting the idea but not always needed (depends on how honest the company is).
When you submit a patent to a company you go through the process of signing non-disclosure agreements. You can specify as a clause in such an agreement that if the company rejects your submission due to prior presentation or invention of the same or significantly similar idea, they must AT THAT TIME disclose to you the details of the prior submission or invention to prove their position. They may refuse to agree to such terms, if so they are probably not an honest company to do business with.
2006-11-08 22:28:47 · answer #2 · answered by Mustela Frenata 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's hard to tell without more information, but it sounds like your "invention" isn't the product itself but uses the product in some novel way. Just thinking of a novel use for a product usually isn't patentable, but an improvement on the product, or a new product that includes the old product, may be.
2006-11-12 21:23:33 · answer #3 · answered by gradivus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes before someone copies you and makes money
2006-11-08 22:24:58 · answer #4 · answered by Cyber Bullying Is Ugly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋