Our concern: we have let some friends try it out.....one of them asked us what was all in it. I asked him why was he having some allergic reactions or something? He stated no, he was just wondering what was all in it.
How do you protect yourself from someone stealing your "formula"/ideas?
2007-01-04 07:48:55 · 7 answers · asked by CluelessOne 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I have been in the "Inventor for hire" business for 40 years and have a lot of knowledge of patent law and infringement cases.
Don't under ANY circumstances communicate your formula to ANYONE. Write up your formula and detailed process information, have the document notarized (which dates it and incontrovertibly identifies it as your invention as of that date) then mail it to yourself but DON'T open it when you get it. That is only step one and your initial proof. Step 2 is hire a patent attorney, formulas (as with "patent medicines") do not normally require a patent search, so the objective will be to apply for a patent for the product. Next name the product and copyright the name. That is simple and costs less than $100 after the name search. Once the patent is applied for you are then 'Patent Pending" and so note on all communications relating to your invention. STILL do not ever divulge the formula, there is no need, your Patent covers what the product accomplishes and It's basic use. Good luck.
2007-01-04 09:11:43 · answer #1 · answered by Gunny T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There have been a couple of good ideas posted so far, but I don't think they explain it well enough. First off, go online and acquire a patent registration form from the government patent office. At the same time you send the form to the patent office or your attorney also send yourself a certified letter with a copy of the filled out form. When it comes back to you in the mail do not open it unless you go to court and then not until you are in court in fromt of the judge. That gives you a dated receipt (the postmark) that will be irrefutable proof of your intnetions and rights to the patent and product. Contact me if you need an accountant...
2007-01-04 16:10:24 · answer #2 · answered by hdsok 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be very very careful. One way is to file an early patent application-- this allows you some IP protection even if you're not quite ready to prosecute a patent application yet. A good patent lawyer will know about this.
Another way is to protect the invention as a "trade secret." But that means you need to keep it SECRET. And you need to have confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements for everyone that you provide the new invention to. Once again, if this invention is worth money, you really, really, should talk to an attorney to prepare these documents.
2007-01-04 15:55:22 · answer #3 · answered by Perdendosi 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a patent or license, that's a first. I'm guessing you have some type of health/beauty product? Make sure the ingredients and the mixture or percentages of each are included in the patent. Good luck, if it works and you like my answer, send me a sample, especially beauty products - god knows I could use them.
2007-01-04 15:56:08 · answer #4 · answered by Archie K 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can also submit your idea to a Web forum that is big and wont go anywhere, that way there is proof that you made the product before anyone else says they did.
(ie You make a ball on rope ) you talk about it on a forum, If someone tries to say it was their idea you can prove it was not and you posted about it, BUT BE WARNED i would get a Patton ASAP!
2007-01-04 15:58:29 · answer #5 · answered by remailer000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's called a patent.
2007-01-04 15:56:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
better go thru the food and drug agency and the patent office
2007-01-04 15:57:25 · answer #7 · answered by Dave 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋