What's it called when you want to prove you had whatever first so you send yourself a letter with all the info

Question

so when you get it, its time stamped and still sealed.

Im doing this because I have an invention idea but want to prove i had it first before talking to an invention company.

I've heard of something like "poor mans proof" or something like that.

Will this really hold up in court also?

Answer 1

Yes. This is how the common person copyrights or proves original ideas. You sign, seal and deliver so to speak to yourself. You can get it notarized but that isn't necessary as long as it has the post mark and you don't open it. Either send it registered or certified mail. I would ask the postal clerk to be sure. What you're looking for is a dated stamp. Again, don't open it once you get it, just put it in a safe place. Good luck.

Answer 2

The concept as I understand it, goes like this: Write a letter to yourself, include your description and design for your invention. Seal it in a envelope and mail it to yourself. The United States Post Office will place a post mark on it the day they process it. I've heard it call the poor man's copy-right. I don't know if it will hold up in court since I've only heard about it in movies and a TV show.

Answer 3

Its called called the poor mans copy-write. It used to copy write literature or designs or ideas.
You take the info and put it in a letter and you mail it to yourself. The only difference is that you put the stamp and address on the other side of the envelope where the flap is sealed. When the post office puts their date stamp on it, you have a sealed and noted document. Then if you ever have to go to court to prove ownership, you just present the sealed and dated letter to the judge and he opens it to show that you had the idea first.

Answer 4

If I understand correctly, what you're referring to is sending something to yourself by certified mail. You can do this at the Post Office for a fee.

I've heard of this being done to protect copyright -- with a manuscript for a novel or screenplay, for example. The key is, once you receive the certified letter DO NOT OPEN IT. Put it in a file drawer and if it's ever needed it can be opened to show that you had this idea prior to the time and date shown on the receipt.

Good luck!

Answer 5

You need a PATENT for your invention. Look up the Patent Office in your area. Bring in all the blueprint related to your work.

Answer 6

from everything that i have heard, following those steps will save you a lot of time and trouble if you do not have a patent yet.

Answer 7

poor mans patent

Answer 8

Or you could have the documents notarized by a notary public...usually can get it done at a bank.

Answer 9

a patent