I have an idea that I would like to patent...what is my next step?

Question

I have thought of an idea that I think would prove beneficial to people.....and save energy!!.....I am not a professional scientist and while I think my idea is feasible, I am a little unsure of the physics involved...who can I contact who I can trust and who can lead me through the next steps?

Answer 1

A lot of what has been written is good advice. What I would add is that right now it sounds like you do not yet have a completed invention, so it is probably premature to file a patent application. This is because ideas are not patentable. See:

http://www.ipwatchdog.com/protect_idea.html

Nevertheless, you might want to file a provisional application with as much information as you can pull together currently. That will lock in your patent rights with respect to whatever you define in the provisional patent application. For information on provisional patent application see:

http://www.ipwatchdog.com/provisional_patents.html

What you really should do right now is conduct your own patent search to see what else is out there similar to the idea you are working on. By doing a patent search you can learn not only what else is out there, but how others have addressed similar problems. This could help you figure out the physics behind your invention, and will certainly help tell you what direction you need to go in to find a unique invention that can be patented. For information on how to do your own patent search see:

http://www.ipwatchdog.com/patent_search_101.html

If you are stuck at the idea stage of invention you can talk to others and try and get ideas, but if you do this you want to make sure you have them sign a confidentiality agreement. If you do not then they could use what you tell them. Additionally, any ability to obtain a patent could be lost moving forward. For more on this see:

http://www.ipwatchdog.com/idea_to_patent.html

For some free sample confidentiality agreements see:

http://www.ipwatchdog.com/confidentiality_agreements.html

Good luck!

Answer 2

Go to good patent attorney that's in your area. Do not go near the people that advertise on TV. The attorney can first do a search for you to see if the idea is unique and patentable or you can go to the patent office site which is;

http://www.uspto.gov/

and go into the patents section and actually search for similar ideas.If your idea is unique and you want o protect it, the attorney can file for you. The language is very archaic and without training, you can't write your own. Do not disclose your idea to anyone. If you do, it will eliminate the chance of getting a patent. By the way, the process takes about 2 years and about $10,000 or so but once you file you can disclose and try to sell the idea.

Yes, I have quite a few patents through work.

Answer 3

Patent-ing is really expensive. And your concept has to be recognized as original by the patent office. The "Best" way is to contact a patent attorney in your area. (yellow pages). BUT You dont have to patent an idea... Coca Cola is not patented.. it is a secret. If you are going to beat the market you may not want to wait for the patent process. Again a reputable atty can help.

Answer 4

Its very Obvious that one or other day in future the whole world will be going to face a massive destruction. According to the mayan calander and the great Prophet Nostrodamus earlier Predicted that the world will be certainely ending on a day 21st december 2012. i dont want anyone to frightened. but the fact is that it is still unidentified whether the comet which was sighted some months ago by the scientist that would able to destroy the earth because the comet will certainely have to come to the same axis of rotation as the earth does. and you have to accept the earth is changing. as earlier it is said that nearing 2012dec 21st day will be the longest day in the calender. because of the precession of the equinoxes it corresponds that the sun will stands exactly at one of the star gate crossing point of elliptic milky way galaxy. but it is the lone cause for the predicted destruction but the serious impact of global warming which results in a melting of ice and again the antartica and greenland are facing the potential threat to their future existence. i dont think human resource and power will dare to challenge the nature and we are living in the edge an the end times. Any way let us hope for the better tomorrow and see owr future beyond 2012

Answer 5

call one of those invention submission places, send them the idea, then they steal it or want $1500 from you to develop it, or spend the rest of your life at the library doing patent searches and get nowhere with it.

I have like at least 10 really good ones in my head.
Somebody should pay me I think , not me paying them.

$10 each if anyone wants em

Answer 6

first, write a brief paper describing the invention
put as many variations on the theme as you can think of
get someone to read it and sign it "Read and Understood"
they need to date it, as well
make a copy - keep the copy - mail the original to yourself
via registered mail
THEN - seek a reputable attourney - or, perhaps find an investor
inventing something is easy - convincing someone it can be
profitable is something else entirely

Answer 7

I am just a tinker, tech and all around electronics nut. If you would like some help making a prototype, I might be able to help. My work is high quality, and I will sign any type of non-disclosure agreement your lawyer would like. I just love to build, so let me know if you interested. Charley.